Photos from my recent vacation: Portland, Bend, Spokane (lunch and visit with dear friend of years past), a trip to the farm to see mom in Kettle Falls. Nearly 2 weeks of absolutely perfect weather. I believe I picked the best 2 weeks of the year to devote to family and friends. Thankful for that.
My friend, Anne
My brothers horse, Kidd stealing apples
autumn on the farm
Koi fish in our creek?
Its raining...of course its rainy season, nearing the official end of hurricane season. Hurricane Sandy passed by to the south and west of us before it developed into its current cat 2 status. It hit Jamaica and is over western Cuba from what I've read. Its been raining quite steady now for about 20 hours; occasionally slowing for a bit, like its taking a big breath and then letting it out again. The weather map shows a huge system over us and reports that this will continue through saturday. I won't be surprised if thunder and lightening are added to the mix. We are so fortunate to have a nice roof over our heads. We don't have to go out to get food and water; we have electricity (inverter, generator and occasionally E'DH) and while it is on the coolish side, we are dry and safe. We hear and read of terrible flooding and mud slides in other parts of Haiti, people have drowned trying to cross the swollen rivers. There are many Haitians- last report I read said 350,000 displaced persons from the 2010 earthquake continuing to live in tents and temporary shelter housing (meant to last 3-6 months). Most are camping tents that people have covered with scraps of wood, tarps, rusty tin. When it rains, they leak, they flood. Its hard to imagine what they look and feel like when the rain is relentless...people are wet. soggy. cold. tired. worried. exhausted. angry. helpless. wearied. hungary. What does it take in a person to tolerate this kind of existence? strength. stamina. hopeful. hopeless. helpless. tolerant. God-fearing. blessed.
Its one reality here in Haiti.
Recently, I read a comment to a FB status post of a friend that was sitting in a coffee shop using the internet, in Port au Prince that sounded like my friend should feel guilty that she is able to do that- as if no one else in Port au Prince has the same opportunity and is fortunate enough to drink a cup of Rebo coffee and use a computer. It actually made me angry. I don't know the person that made the comment; I don't know if he had ever been to Haiti; Yes, sometimes I do feel guilty about what I have when often I see so much of what others do not have. I don't judge a person based on a FB status. But when I see a Mercedes or a big yellow Humvee or a half dozen 4-wheel ATV's racing in the streets, I remember there are Haitian's with money. JUST like in the USA. When a person walks into Starbucks, does he feel guilty that he is buying a $6 cup of coffee knowing there is a homeless person a half a block away? Does he feel guilty that the vast majority of people that work in Haiti make much less than the purchase of a cup of coffee in Starbucks. Should he? Should I? Should my friend? Should you? Its not simple to answer, is it? I don't ask you to feel guilty about what you have.
I do ask that you be thoughtful. compassionate. caring. thankful.
This is another another reality.
I will ask you to vote November 6 with thoughtfulness. compassion. care. hope. tolerance.
