Many of our Texas teammates have endured difficult-to-imagine hardships in the unusual winter storm that has gripped the region.
Here’s how Kevin Willingham, who works on the Sales Desk in Addison, summarized it:
“With me being from Wisconsin and now living here in Texas for six years, I can honestly say, ‘I’ve never experienced anything like this.’ Pipes bursting, homes going without power for 24 hours plus. Shelves in stores and gas stations are empty. Apartments catching fire via the fireplace not being properly cleaned or used in years. It definitely puts you in a place of being grateful for the little things we can take for granted. Continue to think of us as we make it through this tough experience as we continue to help others who are struggling with the conditions mentioned above.”
That really puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?
One teammate reported scrounging for firewood that her family could use to keep warm through another dark night without electricity and heat.
Several have told us that they had taken to gathering snow from their yards and melting just so they would have drinking water.
What water there is has unfortunately frozen in pipes buried in walls that aren’t insulated for the relentless cold. A tip from Northerners to you in the South who face this problem: Shut off the supply to those pipes so, in case they do burst, the water doesn’t continue flowing when it’s restored.
There have been apologies aplenty – and none of them necessary – for Texas colleagues for showing up on a Teams or Zoom meeting without having showered.
None of us would expect it if you’ve only recently gotten power back or you’re camping out with family, friends or neighbors.
Stories abound of gathering electronic devices and piling into the car to recharge them. Please make sure your car is in a well-ventilated spot, by the way, so the exhaust has somewhere to go.
Power and some semblance of normalcy has begun to return to Dallas. But it will take time. Our campus in Addison will remain closed for the remainder of the week.
If anyone continues to find themselves in dire circumstances and has nowhere to turn, the company has been working with some of our contacts in the hospitality industry and might be able to help you find discounted rates. Reach out to communications@nationallife.com and we’ll put you in touch with the right folks.
Please also contact your manager or your People Center Business Partner if you need assistance.
Above all, stay safe and protect your families. The rest of us have got you covered in the meantime while you get back to normal life.