My friend Marian Floyd is one of the victims of the horrors of the Waverly flood. Please allow me to tell you a little about her.

Marian served her country in the US Army for four years. She was ready to serve another tour until it was discovered that her lungs had been damaged during training. So . . . she began to serve in the best way she knew: as a public school teacher for 30 years. She loved and was loved by her students, many of whom she still keeps up with. Her first concern upon hearing about the flood was to check on the safety of those students.

You may be noticing the word "serve" as I refer to my friend of more than 30 years. Few people know that while she taught, and after she retired, Marian also took care of her late mother in her declining years. After her mother's death, Marian has continued to offer herself to her friends in their times of need . . . to doctor's appointments, surgeries, or when they simply need a listening ear. She is truly a wonderful person, and definitely deserves our help as she begins the long road to rebuilding her home and her life.

Our current goal of $45, 000 may just be the beginning of what my friend will need, but it's a place for us to start. After her service to our country and her community, it's our turn!

I'd like to close with the first words that Marian texted me after learning what had happened. They tell the story -- and show a bit of her devastation -- much better than I can:

"The amount of money is going to be high. My homeowners insurance won't cover any of the damage. Everything needs to be ripped out and redone. One side of the house is completely on the ground and will have to be jacked up and new foundation and floor joists replaced. The inside walls and floor are buckled from the water pressure. My new $4000 fence is gone. "

And Marian's closing words in that text: "Everything inside is a total loss. I know this sounds whiny, but I lost all my computer equipment, hard drives, and all my pictures, as well as all my books, Lady Vols memorabilia (some personalized to me from Pat Summitt). Right now I am just heartsick. I have spent every spare dime into redoing my Grandmother's home, and in less than an hour it is destroyed. I know I am blessed to have my life, my truck, and my dog , but I still ask why this has happened. I finally got a small comfortable place to call my own and now it's just gone. What does God want me to learn from this?"

Friends, I think it's up to us to answer that last question! Let's join her in her devastation and grief, and then let's dig deep into our pockets to help this dear, loving, serving person as she begins this long road toward building her home and her life.

On behalf of Marian, thank you so much for your generosity.

Henrietta Hagler