Page 48 - LIN_December 2022

KAREN CONEY COPLIN

SILVER

GOLD

he Christmas TV classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer intro-
duces many special characters including Sam the Snowman. The
Tfamous balladeer Burl Ives lent his voice to the narrator’s many
songs. Sam’s opening number “...everyone wishes for silver and gold,”
asks how these are valued. Is it because of the pleasure given by mate-
rial things, the appearances such things provide, or something else?
Country music sensation and philanthropist Dolly Parton offers to “look for the helpers”, and there have been no shortage of people
a possible answer to these questions, coincidentally in a song bearing rallying together, lending comfort and care to people who were trauma-
the same title as Sam’s: tized by Hurricane Ian.
For those who have lost so much, whether their home or businesses,
“Silver and gold might buy you a home, or material possessions including vehicles, boats, or simply the “stuff
but things of the world they won’t last you long...” of life,” it may be helpful and hopeful to look for the silver linings.
For so very many residents in Naples and Southwest Florida, the expe- That’s not always easy when a lifetime of cherished treasures are soaking
rience described in her song is real, poignantly so. wet or destroyed, but it’s possible when others surround you and lift
Because of the widespread damage and destruction, time has moved you up.
as if in a marathon, rather than at a sprinter’s pace. It’s a reminder when One silver lining is a heightened sense of compassion and concern
life is hard—go easy on yourself and others, especially in the aftermath for our neighbors, and even strangers. To all, a common greeting these
of this devastating storm. days is “How are you doing,” always followed by “Do you need anything?”
So many people have faced unexpected and incredibly difficult Just as we must take care of ourselves, this helps boost our personal
challenges. Where do you turn if you don’t have a home, a car, elec- sense of optimism and hopefulness when we lend a hand or ear to
tricity (fortunately, mostly restored by FPL and out of area linemen, at others in need, whenever possible.
least in Naples) and nearby hotels or other shelters are at capacity? This holiday season, the real tinsel and ore is not limited to the
Early post-Ian statistics showed that some 20,000 residences were decorations Sam sang about. It includes all the people who are as good
uninhabitable in Lee County; 2,500 in Collier County, so finding housing as gold, enriching the lives around us. They help others face arduous
for all displaced is daunting. times and make silver linings shine bright this seaso—brave, calm,
Like the legendary Rudolph, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood also first coping, optimistic and supportive Neapolitans coming together, all the
aired in the ’60s. An enduring lesson from this classic show taught us way to and through 2023.

Just as we must take care of ourselves,
our personal sense of optimism and
hopefulness is boosted when we
lend a hand or ear to others in need,
whenever possible.

Follow Karen Coney Coplin on Instagram at @naplesbythenumbers for colorful images of life in Naples and other local stories.

48 Life in Naples December 2022