Valdosta’s weekend water issues provided an interesting insight as to who we are as a city. This is no reference to the infrastructure of a water plant or electrical wiring, but a glimpse into the heart and soul of Valdosta.

The Times received numerous calls from people upset with the lack of water on a Saturday morning. Some teetered on panic. Some merely wished to vent anger. Others wanted to know what was happening and when the suffering would cease.

Some reader comments on The Times’ website ran the gamut from blatant misinformation to others ready to point fingers of blame in any and all directions.

Some folks reported stores gouging the prices of bottled water. Some people bought more bottled water than they needed with no thought that others may also need bottled water later in the day.

Panic, greed, bitterness and anger are the far more likely ingredients of a catastrophe than a day without water.

Life-destroying and property-eating tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes are catastrophes. The inability to enjoy a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, or take a shower before driving to the store, these are mere inconveniences.

Should people question the readiness of city and utility services? Yes, especially now that the crisis has been averted. But such wanton anger and accusations are of no help while city and utility workers spend hours, day and night, working to rectify the problem.  At times, Valdosta failed this test of heart and soul.

Fortunately, at times, it met this challenge with grit, ingenuity, compassion and humor. Thanks to these people, Valdosta had moments when it passed the test of heart and soul.

Some county folks offered the use of their water, showers, bathrooms to friends without in the city. People passed along information to each other from credible sources. Some businesses took the opportunity to let folks know they were able to operate despite the water situation.

Most importantly, many kept their cool and advocated others to do the same. Others found ways to share a funny story of being without water. They nobly traded irrational irritation for the sanity of a small dose of humor.

Be it in crisis, inconvenience, or an ordinary day, may the better angels within our city’s population always prevail. And praise be to those better angels from this past weekend.