The Laughing Wolf

Putting A Face On Disaster

While some of Kathy's friends have so far checked in, one never will again in this life. Check the news on 28 December for the story. From all reports, no one is surprised that she died trying to help others, that she gave her life in an effort to save the lives of others. Trite, yet true: No Greater Love, No Greater Gift. Look at the news story, look at the face.

That is the face of the tragedy unfolding. Multiply that face by what will likely be in excess of 100,000. Picture a child running out to pick up fish left suddenly stranded by the waters pulled out to form the wave. Picture the face of your child on that body as they run out to harvest, to explore with childish delight, not knowing that in mere seconds the water will return with a crash to end their lives. That is the face of the tragedy unfolding. Think of your family in everyday situations, and have that situation end with a hammer of water smashing the scene, and that is the face of the tragedy.

The numbers are staggering, numbing, impossible to grasp in many respects. They are a statistic. Stop. Think. Look. Look at the individual faces, so that the tragedy remains real and has some hope of comprehension.

Then do what you can. Keep those affected in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever you do. Go here, here, here, here, and here to donate or to choose ways to help. Something some will never understand, such as one frelling large asshat at the UN, is that the American government does not have to send the large amounts of money it routinely sends overseas, because American Citizens are already doing more. We are not subjects and do not depend on any government, but upon ourselves and the private organizations secular and religious devoted to helping to go do what governments often cannot.

So, think about the enormity of the tragedy by focusing on a few faces. Then, go do whatever you can. That is all we can do, and it is the least we can do.

LW

NOTE: While others have referenced the larger blogs, who have done an excellent job of coverage, I have referenced Kathy's posts for several reasons. Prime among them is that she had a personal stake in this, that she knew people there. A subtle thing, but important. All the more because it helps put a personal face on what is fast becoming an impersonal tragedy just from sheer scale.