Our Rural Roots

Hope in the Storm

Meredith Bernard and her community raised tens of thousands of dollars and donated goods that have gone directly to relief efforts. (Meredith Bernard)
Meredith Bernard and her community raised tens of thousands of dollars and donated goods that have gone directly to relief efforts. (Meredith Bernard)

Meredith Bernard, Contributor

It's the time of year when we are inundated with everyone's "New Year, New Me" accolades. I get it, even if I tend not to follow suit. At my age, the years, wrinkles and rolls all feel well-earned, if not entirely well-worn, and I'm OK with that.

All the holiday hoopla is in the rearview, and a new year with its fresh promise is unrolling before us, making way for whatever change we're brave enough to seek or the courage to remain steadfast where we are. Either way, there is always hope in a new year. And, after a year like 2024, for many farms and families, it's one year we are happier than usual to be turning the page on.

Aside from a struggling economy, high input costs and low commodity prices, many Americans had to contend with wave after wave of natural disasters this past year. In September, Hurricane Helene changed the lives of many on the East Coast and the face of my home state of North Carolina.

In that, it also changed me. Living almost four hours away from our devastated mountains, I, like many of you, felt burdened to help. Joining my county Farm Bureau Women's Committee, we rallied to raise money and donations to take west.

And, did we ever.

I didn't know six years ago when I started my YouTube channel that God was secretly building an army for such a time as this. In the days and months since my initial plea for help, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised and have gone directly to relief efforts in western North Carolina, and they will continue as long as the funds exist.

My faith in humanity has been restored, and my faith in God is deeper than I ever knew it could be. I've always said it, but I have now lived it: We are truly better together. No matter what challenges this new year brings, I know there's hope in the storm.

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-- Meredith Bernard felt called to help when disaster struck in North Carolina, where she tends a family and farm. Follow her on social media @thisfarmwife and visit https://thisfarmwife.com/… for more about her life.

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