http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/local/becky-nichols-tree-menasha-2026-s425.jpgA Menasha resident tells her story after last week's terrible tornado.

MENASHA, WI - Last weekend, I was able to help alongside thousands of volunteers as the Fox Cities begins the long path to recovery. At the end of the day, while surveying the destruction outside my church by the lake, I spotted this tree. Like us, it’s been through a lot. It’s bent over, tired, and weary from all we’ve been through. It is not broken.

I paused there for a moment and thought about how this storm has wounded our communities. The volunteers and families I spoke with proved that although we are mourning what’s been lost and anxious for what lies ahead, we will not be defined by this. Together we’ll rebuild; stronger and more resilient than before.

Thank you to all the helpers who show up every day; neighbors, strangers, friends and family, volunteers, all the workers putting in long hours; for the homegrown actions of neighbors organizing donation “stores” in their front yard or biking around with cold drinks and sunscreen (and sometimes beer); and for those who simply share a hot meal with a neighbor or make sure the generator keeps running. Together we will get through this, one day at a time.

This is the beginning of our story. Things are hard, our hearts hurt, and our communities are exhausted. And yet, we keep showing up. It’s what we do.

- Rebecca "Becky" Nichols, a Menasha resident

Rebecca "Becky" Nichols is a Menasha resident who has served on the Menasha City Council, the Winnebago County Board, and is now the Democratic candidate for Assembly District 53. Her commentary was forwarded to us by Matt Roznowski, Press Secretary, Wisconsin Assembly Democrats.