Back in July, the Texas Hill Country faced one of the most tragic events a community could go through thanks to an unprecedented rain event. Lives were lost, homes were ripped from their foundations, and the innocence of youth was unfairly taken away. We all learned during those early morning hours and throughout the following days that water and Mother Nature are not only unpredictable forces, but powerful ones that can be stopped by nothing.

We also learned about another powerful force during and in the aftermath of that awful Independence Day morning: the courageous spirit and resolve of folks from our area and abroad. The true nature of people always seems to shine through during adversity. That couldn’t have been any more evident here as friends, neighbors and strangers all came together to offer whatever assistance they could. Be it money, donating items of need, or simply volunteering their time, our Hill Country neighbors were there without prompt.

In the storm’s wake, “Hill Country Strong” became the rallying cry in our area and I think the man synonymous with being a good neighbor, Fred Rogers, really captured that sentiment when he said, “Real strength has to do with helping others.”

Sometimes the worst brings out the best. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s what this area and these communities are built on — neighbors uniting around neighbors to lend a hand in times of need. And the true beauty of the Texas Hill Country isn’t the rolling hills and sweeping views. Its absolute beauty is in the strength of those that call it home.