Friday, September 09, 2005

It never feels like enough

I sent a small box of things to Mississippi today and had an enlightening conversation with the mailman. He, like most of us, feel that no matter what we do, no matter how much we may donate to the charities, no matter how many little things that we may send, it just doesn't feel like it's enough. And we feel guilty that it is such a small thing.

Those closer to the Gulf Coast, whose hometowns are taking in evacuees, have a unique opportunity to help hands on. Those of us who live further away only wish that we could be there to comfort someone, to ease the burden in a small way so that these people, who have lost everything, know that we care and that we are there for them. Even holding someone's hand...it is the being there that makes a difference.

In a way it is survivor's guilt. So easily it could have been us, but we were spared. And so we wish to help because it could have been us and also because we care.

So to those people who are holding someone's hand, or helping to rebuild, or simply delivering goods to the evacuees, thank you. Know that I, for one, appreciate what you are doing.

To those who are without homes, loved ones, seemingly everything, please, please know that we are with you and would lend a helping hand physically if we could, but that we are with you in spirit and wish you and your loved ones the very best the future has to offer....a new start.

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