As those of you that know we well know, I find disaster relief to be paramount to almost everything. The eight days I spent in Biloxi, MS were by far the most rewarding days of my life. I met the most extraordinary people that had been through the most horrific of experiences. Their spirits were so high after being so devastated -- I could not imagine being so upbeat when everything I knew had been destroyed.
These past few weeks watching the non-stop coverage of the devastation in the Midwest has brought back some potent memories of the days I spent on the Gulf Coast. It also helps me put things into perspective. When I think of how horrible to be unemployed, I watch reports of the people in Joplin and remember that I have parents that are caring for me, a roof over my head and can afford to attend graduate school (thanks Treasury Dept!).
Now, after regaining perspective and appreciating what I have, now all I can think of doing is running off to the Midwest and giving what little I have to those that have less than nothing. The temptation grows with every passing day and have yet to think of a reason to resist.
As Mark Twain once said, "I deal with temptation by yielding to it." Maybe I should take his advice.
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