Sometimes it is just nice to wake up and feel the love. This morning while the pot of coffee was brewing I sat down at the computer — something I had done in a few days.
Like so many people around the world my attention has been fixed on Haiti for the past week. To be honest I have been feeling a little down for a few days. Maybe it has been the anxiety of waiting and waiting and waiting to see if I could catch a glimpse of someone or something from Leogane or Croix-des-Bouquet. Waiting is such a helpless activity — or inactivity.
As I have watched the news from Haiti I have come to realize that so few people really understand how fragile the infrastructure was before the earthquake. One news reader after another has reported that aid is on the runway in Port-au-Prince and little is reaching the people. I feel the frustration. However, while some are beginning to be critical of the process, few really understand the difficulties the aid workers are facing.
Anyway, like most of the world I feel helpless and frustrated. It is heart wrenching to see the hungry and hurt wandering the streets or seeking help that just isn’t available. Ordinarily I can keep things in perspective. But, I could only think back to the Haitian art gallery I owned a few years ago. I had imported a truck load of oil drum art and as I was unpacking the items I opened one small picture frame. It was beautiful, very detailed, and complete with a picture. There was a printed note taped to the back of the frame. It said, “Thank you” and the name of the artisan who had made it was printed on the back. The picture was of him. That was a gift of love.
This morning as I poured the first up of coffee I realized that the situation in Haiti had me emotionally paralyzed. Everything was still going on around me just as always. But, I seemed stuck in the destruction. When I sat down at the computer I began deleting the morning emails, something I do every morning — except I had not been in front of the computer in a few days and the lot was overwhelming.
Most of the email was news alerts that had lost most of its significance. Then, I noticed a new email from Laury. It contained a link to her site. Thank you, Laury.
Isn’t life magical? Laury’s note reminded me that the world is full of love and that it comes from everywhere in the world. I felt warm inside. I immediately felt reconnected to the world and to friends. Love comes in many forms. Perhaps, the best love is the love that comes from friends when it is least expected.
Today I am thankful for love. Thanks again, Laury.
