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December 28, 2004
Loneliness, A World Away
I feel really lonely right now in Minnesota. I am so struck by the picture on the cover of the New York Times today of a woman crouching next to the dead bodies of several children, most of whom were her own. They had been washed away in the tsunami. That image, along with the news reporter's comment on tv today that when the ocean reeled back before the wave, many children ran out onto the exposed sand, looking for seashells. These things are so haunting to me now.
It seems in some ways like it's only fate that this tragedy occurred in what seems like a world away from Minnesota. It's not that I had a trip planned to Thailand and did not go; simply, I think life is precious and fragile, and sometimes I forget that. I don't want to be a face on the cover of a newspaper looking at the body of my dead child--I can only imagine how devastating that could be. I can imagine it--because I am a mother, and I feel lucky every day to see the beautiful face of my child, alive, happy, and carefree.
There's nothing that can replace so deep a loss. I know this blog has only a small readership, but I want to put in this information from Robert Textor, who lives in Portland, and previously lived and worked in Thailand. Our contributions cannot undo the damage caused by nature, but they can provide some support in a time of need.
Robert Textor writes:
One very quick, efficient, effective way to help the tens of thousands of helpless victims of the Southeast Asia Tsunami is to give money to Mercy Corps, based in Portland, Oregon. Mercy Corps has an outstanding record of supplying both relief and rehabilitation. More than 91 cents of every dollar you give will go directly to victims. Less than 9 cents goes to administration. This is an excellent record.
It is easy to contribute. Just go to Mercy Corps
Posted by chri1010 at December 28, 2004 4:06 PM