I want to make it clear here that I’m not minimizing the tragic effects of this storm on real people, people who lost loved ones, as well as homes and dreams. We all need to keep praying and keep giving, because this wound belongs to all of us, and not just the victims themselves. It does seem to me, though, that there’s still a lot of complaining and arm-chair quarterbacking going on. The issue is not who did what, when. It’s what we do, right now.
The relief agencies have been pretty clear about what they need. MONEY. Once the triage is done, there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities, and I have been deeply inspired by the generosity people have shown, taking the displaced into their homes, willing to make sacrifices out of compassion. Americans are great about that. Give them a cause, and they’ll get behind it in a big way.
I still maintain that we need to think about what we CAN do, and not what Somebody Else ought to do. Oh, that Somebody Else. You just can’t depend on them.
We need to remember that even in the darkest of times, life goes on. It’s a gift, and it should be honored, cherished, and even celebrated, no matter what.
It’s a tall order. I know that. But we, as a people, have dealt with many calamites before, and we will face many more. We’re up to it. We can DO this.
Long ago, during the Iran hostage crisis, Dan Rather used to end every telecast with one word, and I’m following his lead.
COURAGE.
