CATCHING ON Do I just imagine it, or are we rather slow in catching on to the idea that there may be something worthwhile for us to learn from the New Orleans situation? I keep having a feeling that this is more than just a quirk in the weather whereby the wind blew too, too strong and too dong-dong-dong-dong like the loose clapper on a large bell. Are our eyes blinded by our own glory shining forth? Are our ears forever sealed with the worrisome wax of disuse and neglect? Why can't we see? Why can't we hear voices crying out endlessly for assistance?
Partly, I'd say, because we'd rather not be like that dream stuff? theory!
In the main, I believe, we get pretty much what we pray for, don't we? Oh, but of course, you don't pray, do you! None of that foolish pretending for modern you! Yet,when it hits as it does, the waters of the world come hurriedly moved by the same wild winds, he same irresistible forces and to pick us up and crush us against the real hardness of the earth with tremendous force and power -power enough to swept us away, smashed what protective shields we may have raised and dashed us against unyielding rocks of reality.
So many survivors of the floods sit idle in total unawareness of what might have caused their suffering. They understand even less what they can about. Among such a group of survivors you. In noticed it years ago in sharing a bomb shelter with civilians. Even in New Orleans with its excessive expectation of federal miracles which could not be. Here and there you saw a person who did not litter; who had his or her possessions in a semblance of good order – folded, bagged, or folded and tied for quick movement if necessary. It was the Englishman who whittled a small toy from a piece of wood; it was the the lady who knitted or crocheted ;it was the old man who helped several children to build imaginary things with the curious collection of materials with pebbles, rocks, and such scraps of paper,cardboard, string, bottles and empty containers. He helped them hold fast to mutual dreams and plans.
There were such individuals in the sports arena and in the convention center. Look or them when you see re-runs on TV. We can learn just by becoming aware of what have done in times of trouble.
A.L.M. September 17, 2005 [c428wds]
