The “Can’t keep me down” spirit I see in the faces of Houstonians is in a word- astonishing.

As I watch bag after bag of ice along with water and other supplies being loaded into cars it suddenly dawns on me. This is no federal hand-out, no FEMA pick-me-up, in fact it has nothing to do with the government at all. All of these people are volunteers, working to unload what eventually be four tractor trailers of much needed relief. I know Texans are proud, but I see it in every disaster I go to.

Private business and citizens coming together, working to help those who are in the same horrible conditions. They’re not whining about helping and they’re not waiting for the government to ride in on a white horse and save them. But this time it is Texas. And Texans are working with hearts as big as the Lone Star state itself. You’ve seen the pictures on Fox News Channel by now, I’m sure. Long lines of people waiting, wanting essentials that right now are i short supply. There are other lines. Volunteers. While those lines may not e as long as the ones of those who are in need, they are equally impressive of themselves. Men, women, sisters, brothers. Texans. Americans.

No, there is no Federal Government at this distribution point, just people. Hopefully there’s a lesson here for all of us. We don’t need government getting so big that we forget how we started this country— Individuals banding together to fight a government that would dictate how we would live our lives. A government so big that we forget how to take care of ourselves and our neighbors.

A government that wants I absolutely hate that bad things happen. But they will. Maybe that’s part of the good that comes out of the bad- we are reminded that we can come together putting aside our differences and work together to get ourselves out of a tight spot without “big brother”. Be proud, Texans!