Getting up in the morning, making some coffee and reading the paper in my bright, cozy apartment is one of my favorite parts of the day. Today, though, it didn't make me so happy.
I don't watch the nightly news because it's usually all about shootings and robberies and terrorist attacks and it depresses me. I do want to stay informed, though, so I read the daily paper and peruse the internet news sites.
Every day there's something in the paper that makes me sad - that's just how life goes. But today, there was just no good news.
Hurricane Katrina has wreaked such havoc on Louisiana and Mississippi and the surrounding areas that the death toll and the damage will not be known for days. While I'm sitting here, snuggled up with my coffee and newspaper, contemplating how I'll spend my day off, thousands of people just hundreds of miles away are without food, water, or shelter. Many have died, and many more have had their whole world destroyed.
And here we are in Wisconsin, going about our daily lives as if nothing has changed. It makes me feel so guilty, and so helpless. If I had some money saved up to live off of for a few weeks, I think I'd seriously consider going down there to help in the recovery process. But I don't, so I can't.
For now, I will keep all those people in my prayers. And in the coming weeks and months, maybe I'll find some small way that I can offer aid.
Every little bit helps, and if every one of us gave a little - a little money, a little blood, a little time - it would help a lot.
I know what you mean Erin. It is so sad to hear all the terrible stories about those poor people. If anyone wants to donate, I know there are fundraisers on Channel 4 and 12. NBC will also have a benefit tomorrow night with various celebrities to raise money so you can look for that too.
Posted by: Nicole | September 01, 2005 at 09:56 AM
Okay, this post is going to sound rather "bitchy" but hear me out. It's not intended to.
I agree that what is going on in the South is TERRIBLE, and as American's we should all be banding together in some way or another to help out. After all, this is OUR country.
But it just bothers me that it takes such a large catastrophic event to bring the nation together. And then, once the damage has been done, the clean up efforts subsided, we're back to our (mostly) selfish ways of spending $4.00 in the morning for a latte, $50.00 to fill up our oversized cars, and $200 so we can have the newest cell phone out to stay in touch with our friends and relatives. All the while, people are suffering all over the country..EVERY DAY and we do little to acknowledge this.
Where are the relief efforts for the inner cities, or all the tattered women and children. They're out there yes..but we should be doing more.
I'm not preaching, believe me. I'm the first to put my quarter in the "save New Orleans" jar at the local grocery store before I donate my canned food to my local food drive for the homeless in my own city. But a situation like this, or the tsunami, or even 9/11 really makes you think and want to do good...for EVERYONE.
Posted by: Christi | September 01, 2005 at 11:01 AM
I couldn't agree more Christi, and I don't think your post was bitchy at all. It is wonderful how the nation pulls together during a time of crisis, but there is crisis going on all around the country on a daily basis. I am a huge advocate for doing what you can to make it better for even just one other person. If you are grocery shopping and it is buy one get one free, but you can use the second, take it and donate it to your local shelter. It's the little every day moments of generosity that make this country great.
Posted by: Nicole | September 02, 2005 at 09:15 AM