We only hear the bad: the death, the starvation, the sick, and the violated. Good things are happening, but unfortunately, those stories are not getting the same attention. There comes a point when you simply have to turn the radio off… how many more tragic stories can you hear? how many more people will die? There is an intense desire to know the latest information… even if it hurts to hear it. When you feel guilty for smiling and laughing, it is time to take a break and evaluate what you can do to make a difference:
Margene and Susan started this group donation tally, and as of 6:30pm EST, over $4000 has been donated to the Red Cross. Please do your part and help all of those in need.
My heart breaks for the victims and refugees along the Gulf Coast. Years, and even decades, of hard work are ahead of the residents in the affected areas.
Not only are their human casualties and victims from this disaster–many pets, including companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife are effected as well. Please do not forget the Humane Society of the United States.
Kris and I traveled to New Orleans a few months ago (Big Easy I and II), and it was among the best trips in our lives. A beautiful city with an amazing history… I pray that it can be restored to its former glory. I also hope and pray that the residents of the shore towns in Mississippi and Alabama are able to recover and rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives.
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Knitting and school news can wait until another day…
You’re so much more eloquent than I. I’m just angry – your post reminds me of what’s important, and it isn’t anger.
Thanks, doll – xoxo.
Hi Lauren,
I read your post and totally related to how you have to stop listening, but you have to keep listening; I find myself feeling a bit down on and off today, and it occurs to me that I should watch something more light-hearted than CNN, but all there’s no way I can concentrate on anything but CNN. What bothers me the most are seeing the children and the sick, but now things seem to be getting worse, with rapes and beatings and god knows what else…It’s just SO sad.
Tere
seeing those pictures pained chris and i….mardi gras will never be the same with the family.
I was lucky enough to spend my college years living in New Orleans, and have always felt that I would return there to live. My husband’s family still lives in the area and so I’m lucky enough to get to the region at least 3 times a year.
I’m saddened. I’m in shock at the devastation and human suffering. I don’t really have the words to explain how I feel about the situation as it unfolds. But today, I have anger. Anger that those in charge didn’t get the help in there sooner and have allowed the city to descend into complete chaos.
But it will return, and many historic parts of the city will emerge relatively unharmed. Of course, this is nothing when you look at the devastation in the parts of the city where tourists never dared to venture and along the MS coast.
I am the opposite with the TV (now that the power is back), I feel absolutely compelled to know what’s going on. I have some kind of insane notion that keeping myself as informaed as possible is helpful. Crazy, I know. But everyone should have someone who worries about them. Even if you never know their name.
Thanks for your nice comment. I agree with Elisa – you are so much more eloquent than I am. You really put into words what I have been feeling. I can’t watch the news anymore either – I spend the whole day crying.
Thanks, Lolly for saying this so well. It’s hard to hear about this, and even harder to think about what it must be like. I cannot imagine what people are going through.
Well said Lauren. A good friend of mine lives in New Orleans (she made it up here to Michigan with her little girl and baby yesterday.) She’s safe but sad.
Thanks for sharing all of that Lauren. I just donated a skein of Gryffindor yarn to be auctioned off. Those pictures are so hard to see of the city in its glory… especially after watching the videos on Catherine’s blog. A friend of mine and I were planning on taking a trip down there this next spring since I had never been down there… its goign to be a very long while until the city is back on its feet again.
don’t forget another wonderful animal charity that goes right in and rescues and treats the animals, noah’s wish (www.noahswish.org).
thanks for the link.
I was thinking about you because I remembered that you were there not long ago. I’m am just horrified. I will post the button on my site.