This week in Atlanta was one of unexpected struggles and circumstances. People were stranded on highways and byways in a situation they never imagined, due to snow storm Leon. I could elaborate on the fact that America was laughing at us because of the two inches of snow we received that shut down the entire city. Need I remind you that we live in the south, seldom get snow, and most people cannot drive on ice, not just those who live in the south. You can read news articles and get several opinions on what happened last week.
It was the unexpected that I think brought out the best in all of us, including the random acts of kindness that were experienced by many of us, including myself. I heard stories of strangers allowing children and bus drivers to sleep in their homes because they were stranded out in the cold. I sat in traffic for three hours on a trip that would normally take me ten minutes. I followed my intuition and made it to the
Lenox Mall parking lot and walked to the closest hotel, the
Ritz Carlton in Buckhead, Atlanta. I did not want to run out of gas driving my normal 30 mile commute.
The Ritz Carlton sold out of rooms and I was prepared to hang out in the lobby the entire night. I had no where to go. If I am outdating myself, so be it, but I would like to give a big thanks and shout out to the Ritz for not once questioning anyone on the length of time they hung out in their lobby. They allowed stranded passengers to sleep in their lobby. Yes, the Ritz Carlton is a class act. The hostess confirmed that the bar made more money on that night than New Years Eve (they are still a class act).
Here's where my story becomes surreal. Another woman and I were talking all night; both of us were stranded and prepared to sleep in the lobby. Kristi, the other stranded woman and I started talking to a woman from Los Angeles, Damiana, who was in Atlanta filming a movie. Damiana, said to us that she would offer her room but she only had one bed. Several hours later, Damiana, came back to Kristi and I and said we were welcome to stay in her room. She had a change of heart or just realized we were harmless and needed a place to sleep. I was grateful that I managed to find a warm place to stay that night because many adults and children were stranded in their cars for hours. I was even more grateful that this woman felt it in her heart to offer her room to two strangers.
I allowed myself to receive this random act of kindness without hesitation, a first for me. Thank you Damiana and all of those who reached out to strangers during Atlanta's 2014 snow storm.
Until Next Time
XO
Terrell Dinkins
Residential Designer
Atlanta Interior Design
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