At the time of the Murrah bombing, I was working at St. Anthony Hospital, the medical facility closest to the site.  This disaster was life-changing for anyone who was even remotely connected or close, including me.  While this tragedy brought a sense of defeat and failure to some people, I saw it bring out the very best and charitable traits in many others. 

One thing that amazed me then and to this day I still find remarkable is something that we are seeing in Oklahoma communities devastated by recent tornadoes:  the outpouring of support by individuals and businesses in the area…and even outside of this area.  Private donations of almost anything you can think of are pouring in.  Volunteers are thanklessly sifting through the rubble looking for any signs of life. There is, indeed, a special type of “neighborliness,” on display.  The kindness that individuals are showing to Mother Nature’s victims is almost as emotionally uplifting as the gutwrenching stories of the many deaths are depressing and disheartening. 

The weather here has taken a turn for the worse in just the last hour, raining on what is already an extraordinarily difficult situation.  Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers, particularly those who may still be buried in the rubble, yet to be found.

G. Keith Smith, M.D.