09/29/2024
Dr. Forrest here ... I'm so happy that the most recent hurricane missed us by a hair and we received just a decent amount of rain. I hope you all faired it well, or with limited disruption. I'd like to share something with my dental family and my patients.
As many of you know, and the other many that have asked along the way about where I was from, I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. The hurricane did not have lots of wind, but immense amounts of rain!
I have lots of family and friends there have been severely affected by the storms. My brother, in Greenville, SC, showed me pictures of him and his neighbors cutting trees just so he could make it to the hospital, as he is a pediatric RN at a local hospital up there and one of very few businesses with power.
I was sent a video of my small hometown (Hendersonville, NC) literally under water. I saw a McDonalds sign and I couldn't even recognize where in town that was.
I saw a video of my college town in Boone, NC ... under water. I have friends that have been stranded at their homes on top of mountains in the area accessible from one road only, which is impassable.
I almost left my own family here in Carrollton this weekend to travel to them to help in any capacity I could. I did not however. I am here, with my family, with my dental family, with my office family, and my community family. The state dept of NC advised any travels to western NC right now as there are many impassable roads, lack of power to 100's of thousands of homes/businesses, and really questionable cellular service. Overall, not a very safe area to be.
I say this all, if you have read this far, I am here! I am present. I will still take care of you to the best of ability. But, if you are to ask about this matter, do not be surprised if i get upset/emotional as this is weighing on me. I know this too shall pass, however.
As a very close friend/family member told me, "I know you have so many fears and feel trapped ... you just have to Pray David".
Thank you all for reading. Please add western NC to your prayers. And if any of you all have family and/or friends there, I will continue to pray for them as well!
[this is the town i moved to when i was a kid, and where my grandparents lived. i spent a many summers about 6 min from this location https://www.facebook.com/share/r/BcM9peCiAJBNhFM5/?mibextid=VMBKnz ]
[My college town, Boone, NC https://www.facebook.com/share/v/B2EWp4LomC8eE85W/?mibextid=VMBKnz ]
[My hometown, Hendersonville, NC to which is unrecognizable to me right now
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAcZPg_gs1-/?igsh=MjR5eTk0Nm16eTJz ]