When the World Went Silent: Living Through the Nashville Ice Storm

-Author, Wendy Jans

As I write this, we’re on day four without power. We can see our breath inside the house. Our toes are permanently popsicled by this house that used to shelter us so well. 

These days, our house feels like a different person entirely. Two faced. Like someone you used to love who one day turned on you. And it’s not just our house. Knowing that multiple friends just blocks away have had power this whole time has brought out this bitterness in me that I didn’t know was there. Despite their kindness in offering to take us in, I’m bitter. It’s not fair.

Fair. I know how that sounds – what’s fairness? All of this makes me think of my unhoused friends. They live this exposed reality every day and without the luxury of even a house. And forget about the kindness of friends – they ran out of the generosity of friends a long time ago.