Professional Numbness - Military, Police etc........

     There are occupations out there where one has to be in control at all times.  One is expected to resolve problems, calm people down in horrific situations and to respond appropriately at all times.  In this day where there are cameras everywhere, there is an expectation of perfect responses to impossible situations.  One is being judged by the media and the public.  These are additional pressures.  

     In my own training many years ago, I was briefed along with others that military, police, and physicians were statistically more prone to abusive relationships at home.  I being young and thinking that such professions were among a higher standard of conduct was surprised.  Now, being more mature, educated and down to earth with experience, understand what was told to me many years ago several times.

    Perfection does not exist.  I think most people understand this.  We all come from various backgrounds with various amount and depth of what is referred to as "baggage".  Much of that baggage is screened for in various testing for various careers.  There are also IQ tests etc.....for various occupations.  What is there for testing the pain and emotional responses one physician feels when she loses a patient?  What is there for testing a soldier who was forced to kill?  What is there for testing a policewoman or man who for a second, had to make an instant decision, right or wrong?  One thing that is common with these occupations is that there is an expectation of higher standard to be in control, to be wonderful; to be a hero.  It is an occupation that an expectation is taken for granted.

Now let's examine the person.  What is going on inside?  Is this person a machine?  Is this person programmed for perfection?  Does this person have anyone on his side?  Who is in control of this person?  Is he or she in the same occupation, with the same experiences?  Is this person a politician who wants to have a job in the future in the right circles?  Is this person going to support the struggles suffered by one man or woman who suffers when a child dies or an animal is abused beyond recognition, when one witnesses the scars and wounds and suffering that many are free from.

I recently heard a speaker talk about a woman who was raped.  As far as the speaker was concerned this woman was ok.  At break time, I blurted out that this woman knew nothing about the sexual assault of a person (male or female).  The thing is that people respond to situations and crises and many times, they do not even know how they feel.  They put themselves on mute.

At another training session, I heard how nurses who are so much in control can completely break down when a member of their own profession dies.  This was not understood by the speaker.  The speaker did not understand, that the tipping point was having someone close, a colleague die.  All that suffering previously experienced was pushed aside, to function, to perform with professionalism.

One aquaintance once was so angry, that others near us just tried to stay away from him.  He was looked at with distaste.  No one wanted to be near him.  He was too angry.  All professionalism gone.....There was no need to be professional.  The setting was safe.  "What happened" I asked.  He told me that he was assisting with an abortion and the fetus was still alive, in a bucket.  He held the fetus, in the room of the hospital until the fetus died.  The mother never knew.  As my aquaintance began to share more suffering without crying, the agitation slowly diminished into sorrow.  He is a professional, able to keep facial and posture purfection at all times.

    There are professions who witness what others who judge them superficiously, cannot imagine.  There is this aura of professional who protects and heals.   Often there is no support system for them.  Often it is inadequate.  Often to seek help which should be considered normal, is deemed as weakness.  There is this "professional numbness" that emergency personnel cultivate and develop, where feelings are surpressed, so that this illusion of professionalism and expectation can continue as expected by the people they serve.  I like to use the anology of a pot with liquid on a stove, heating up and coming to a boil where the top finally pushes outward.  This bottled and contained emotions are still there.  They may be expressed with anger, with violence, and sadly with suicide.  The best solution is to find that person you can talk to and share and explore those feelings.  This is confidential.  The only person who needs to know that you are getting help, is the same person who has contained this suffering without your own awareness.  This Christmas give yourself the gift - the gift of life, the gift of helping yourself for a change.  

           

Pet peeve over ruled, with changes within the service of the Post Office. 8000 posties will be gone?!!!!!!No more delivery!!!!!!!!

     I watched CTV news last night and somehow missed what I heard on channel 24, later when I was checking the weather.   I don't normally watch the weather station, because it takes too long to get the Toronto weather.  However, I was stunned to silence which is rare, when I heard that with government approval, the delivery service will be phased out in the next five years, postage will increase from .60 something to 1.00 (CDN) and 8000 postwomen and men will also be losing their jobs.  And this was approved by our government.  Even Justine Trudeau made sense to me last night as he argued in favour of retaining services.

     "Stay out of Politics, Silva"  I hear the echo of my pastoral advisor warning me.  Is this politics or advocacy?  Ok, forget everything I wrote yesterday about not sending cards etc..........Go viral all the way!!!!!Multiply all responses!!!!!!!!!!  Let's move into the future, full speed ahead.

    It was not too long ago that I was in a cell phone/internet shop and every single person was on the phone (myself included).  As I looked around and observed this and after completing my call, I blurted out, "Look at what has become of us" (raising my phone).  I received nods and smiles and resignations.

Our taxes was raised to support a bit of extension to support Scarborough with the TTC.  I don't use the
TTC (rarely).  It would be interesting to know exactly how many people who live outside Toronto use the TTC as compared to Torontonians.    I am staying out of politics.  I do not know how much the government contributes to the Post office.  I do not know the budget of the Post Office.  I have become sceptic about what is not making enough of money and I have become sceptic about management of businesses.  We have the world economy to thank.  I ponder who runs the country, corporations or the people.  Ok, enough politics.

     I really enjoy receiving my mail in the comfort of my home.  I have really liked each and every Postie who has delivered my mail.  I even wrote a poem about one, that I may post again before Christmas.   I  had one postie who used to knock on my door if he thought I was receiving something very important.  I  think I get a lot of mail.  I certainly use the mail services a lot.  So who is really going to be affected?  Toronto is not the new development where everyone walks from their oversized homes, to get their mail, booming with new young families.  Toronto has it all.  Toronto has an abundance of elderly who are alone, sick who are alone, and the frail who are alone.   Too many struggle, to pay their bills, buy food and pay escalating rent.  The poor is getting poorer and the rich is getting richer.   I know that for me not getting mail at my door is purely selfish and a luxury I have had most of my life, unless I happened to be somewhere for the moment.  8000 people out of work???????  Did I hear right?????   I certainly hope that if this happens, they will be all given pensions for life because how else will they survive?

Employer:  "What are your skills?"

Postie no more:    I have been delivering mail for the last 20 years.  My back hurts a bit now and my knees   are not what they used to be.  But I made sure I delivered the mail each day to every person on my route because they depended on me.

Employer:   I see.  You can carry loads but how does that apply here?  There is no need to carry loads and there are government regulations on how much you can carry anyhow.  It sounds to me that you may have carried a tad too much, hey?

Postie no more:    (thinking  -  How am I going to feed my family.  My wife does not make enough money now to take care of the rent.  What am I going to do?  I need a job and I finally got an interview).

Employer:  What kind of people skills do you have?

Postie:         I always spent time to talk and get to know everyone on my route.  I always made sure to deliver the pension and social service cheques because I know how much they depend on them to survive.  Some of the elderly people on my route wait for me each day because I am the only person that they see all day.  I delivered mail, sir, even when I didn't have to because people depend on me.  It didn't matter how hot it was or how cold or how much snow........people depended on me.

Employer:   I see.   What business skills do you have?

Postie:         Business skills?

Employer:    Yes, business, profits,  ............................

Postie:       Sir, I have just been delivering the mail for all these years.  I have brought the business to the people.  I have given them the bills they cannot pay.  I have given them the advertisements they did not want.  I have provided them with the notices that they did not want.  That is the business part.  I have also delivered them the letter they had never expected to receive by a loved one.  I have delivered them the news that I have heard....oh.....I am sorry.  That is not business, that is called something else, isn't it?

Employer:  My company is doing its best to reach out and give all you people who have lost your jobs the possibility of employment.  We do that because we care.  However, I am afraid that you do not have the qualifications that our mandate requires.  I am sorry, but I am sure you understand.

Postie:    Yes sir.  Thank you for this opportunity and Merry Christmas.  Oh, I am sorry........Happy Holidays.........I don't want to be offensive.

Employer rises and smiles, "Happy Holidays!" He reaches out his arm so he can shake posties hand.  Postie a true gentleman also rises and looks at the chubby hand of the employer.  He feels forced to shake the soft hand that turns him away from the opportunity to feed and house his family.

      Postie leaves the building and sits on a park bench at the park across the building.  It was donated.  The snow falls, caressing his stricken face.   He looks up at the sky and pleads.  "Help me God.  Please help me feed my family. "

      Employer calls for his secretary.  This was a waste of time.  What business skills does a postie have.  "June" he calls out to his secretary,  "I need you to go get something for my wife.  Find something nice ....you know what I mean.  She is upset because she thinks I do not spend enough time with her.  It doesn't bother her the rest of the year.  But there is something about the holidays.  You know women.  Hey, and get something for yourself.  You deserve it.  And why don't you reserve a table for us again at Giovannis?

       The postie is still sitting on a bench in the park praying.  How will he feed his family.  HOw will he feed his little girls?

                                              Merry Christmas everyone.............Ooops Happy Holidays

My pet peeve - no virtual Christmas Cards and no standardized letters please. Santa oops, forgot to write. Will an email do?

     I love Christmas.  I love it all.  I also love the commercialism.  I realized how much I loved that part when I was in a country where it was missing.  Perhaps that is why many people who come to this country hate commercialism or naught.

    I have had a very busy life and though I have retired twice, I have returned to school, worked internships for free (hopefully, the government will change that) and consistently paid out for tuition, association fees, etc........These five years have been an eye opener and I have learned that  you can teach an old dog new tricks.  The one thing I do each year no matter what is make that effort to reconnect to everyone I know, regardless how far.  I spend one full day writing cards to individual people outside the country or province.  To people in Toronto, I actually go visit or they me and we exchange a card or a small gift.  Sometimes it is just the company shared.  To me, the Christmas spirit is not in how much is given or received but in the spirit that it is given and received.  Christmas cards have been coming in and why not?  I have known quite a few people in my short life.  They are scattered.  I do not enforce my love for Christmas.  If I do not get a card for several years, then I stop unless the person is elderly and frail.  Notice I said frail.  I have always had friends of all ages and that I found to be wonderful.  I have learned from them all.  I love getting cards.  Sometimes a neighbour will leave me a gift on my alcove and I marvel at that too.  I love that connection that people make at Christmas, because it is the time of year of reaching out.  HOwever, my pet peeve and I know that it is mine, is getting that letter that is sent out with the card to perhaps 200 other people.    It almost diminishes the card for me (but not quite).  What I also detest is the virtual card in lieu of a card.  The virtual card always appears to be from a person of wealth who cannot be bothered to spend that postage.  I also cannot stand when I receive a phone call from someone who says she does not believe in Christmas Cards or commercialism and therefore is calling as a response to the card.  Off the card list and onto the naughty list.

     Dear Santa, this year I have forgotten to write to you.  So I will email you this and ask that you remind people if they receive a card, it may be just a gesture of a Christmas greeting.  There is no need to reply by phone or virtualality because a card was sent.  There is no requirement to feel guilty.  If a phone call is to be made, make it happen because the person wants to reach out and say Merry Christmas.  Actually, Santa, I think I will send you a letter, or note because my wants are minimal.  So I will get at that and not be a  hypocrite.  Thank you Santa, I still believe in you and watch out for you each year.  Exuse me not leaving cookies and milk because I don't think you actually come in.  I always find something in my porch and am not quite sure who it is so it must be you.

   This year Santa, I ask that you bring the joy of Christmas by having people reaching out to others in a genuine gesture.  I ask that the poor be reminded that they are worthy of all things as are all people.  There is a Santa Claus.

To dream..............      

Book reviews - Dinner at the Home Sick Restaurant and Lives of the Saints (old paper)

THE COMMUNITY EFFECTS 

                                                                       

                                                            ON THE 

                                                                       

                                                                                                     SOUL

                       

The Community Effects on the Soul

The texts Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant  by Anne Tyler and Lives Of The Saints by Nino Ricci both demonstrate the effects the role of the community has in the lives and fates of Pearl and Christina.  This essay will argue that both Pearl and Christina were influenced by the community to conform to a way of life not of their preference and that their reaction to this influence ultimately led to Christina's death and Pearl's isolation.  

                    The Pressure of Conformity

  Both Pearl and Christina live in a community where society dictates the norm of what is expected of a woman.  Women should be married, as in Pearl's case and married women should behave virtuous as is expected from Christina.  Pearl and Christina are both resistant in their actions from the pressures of the community, yet eventually succumb to the pressures.

Pearl is conscious of how her single status is considered inferior.  Being thirty and not married is defiant  but pressure to marry takes its toil.  Pearl understands how the community is reacting towards her,  "They had thought she would be an old maid.  They'd grown tactful …insultingly tactful.  Talk of others' weddings and confinements halted when Pearl stepped out on the porch"  (Tyler 6) Pearl also feels that education is considered a finality to the prospect of marriage, "She felt that going to college would be an admission of defeat."  (Tyler 6)  Marrying Beck and leaving her community immediately because

of his career, gives the reader insight that she marries because of peer pressure rather than love.  This insight is reflected by her not being happy just by being married to Beck.  She appears to need the attention that marriage provides in her community.  "She never even got to enjoy her new status among her girlfriends…Everything seemed so unsatisfying."  (Tyler 6&7)  

The stigma of single life continues to haunt Pearl.  This is demonstrated when Beck leaves her.  Pearl behaves as if this has never occurred.  Not even her children are informed of the truth.  Pearl reflects how the community had responded to her single life prior to marrying Beck,  "They had been so sure no man would marry her.  She could never tell them what had happened." (Tyler 11)  Pearl's pretense that her husband is away on business extends a lifetime.  As an adult, her son Cody recalls, "First he leaves and Mother pretends he hasn't… A thirty-five year business trip…"(Tyler 284)       

  In Lives Of The Saints Christina gives the illusion of not caring what the community thinks about her.  But from the beginning a simple act as changing her clothes after being bitten by a snake while alone with a man provides an insight to the opposite being true.  When Christina's son returns with help he notices," She had put on a new dress, a sleek flowered one…and had combed out her hair." (Ricci 11) 

Comments from the community such as, "You're too proud" (Ricci 46), and "Walking around like a princess" (Ricci, p 47) illustrate that the community feels that Christina is arrogant.  This is reinforced when Giuseppina, Christina's 

Childhood friend tells her, ,"…You can't afford to walk around like a princess.  It turns people against you."  Christina becomes pregnant from a man other than her husband who is in America and Giuseppina's  predications come true.  The community rejects Christina, "no one stopped by anymore…and if people passed my mother sitting in the front of the house they did not look at her…"(Ricci 52)  The effects of the community on Christina is demonstrated by her withdrawal.  Vitto relates the changes in his mother, "My mother began more and more to keep inside…sometimes simply shut up in her room; and she and my grandfather hardly spoke.." (Ricci 52).  Ultimately the pressure from the community is too much for Christina.  In her own moment of desperation she succumbs to a an act of superstition as was advised by her childhood friend, "you take a chicken …drain out the blood, then cut out the heart …wash your hands in the blood…pour into the ground".  Christina had found it humorous and ridiculous at the time (Ricci 54).  The community effects her so profoundly that Christina eventually performs the act.   Vitto provides this insight,  "Now the mystery of the blood on my mother's hands explained itself, for on a wooden block in front of the chicken run lay the limp headless body of a chicken…and a pan of blood resting on the ground nearby (Ricci 114). 

The community's rejection of Christina continues and it is not until Christina's behavior demonstrates a lack of defiance by attending church after a time of absence does this change.  Vitto relates, "And so our home which for

months had known only a lenten silence, was once again filled with a little life and conversation…my mother's presence at church…taken  perhaps as some kind of a sign…of the repentance and guilt…" (Ricci 146)

Both Christina and Pearl succumb to the pressures demanded from the community.  Pearl feels the need to be married, to be socially accepted. Rather than face life without a husband after Beck leaves her, Pearl continues a life of deception to avoid the stigma of being without a husband.  Christina's rejection by the community causes her to perform a superstitious act to redeem herself and to return to church. These women are similar in allowing the community to influence their lives.

                            My Soul Thee Takes

The community leads to Pearl's isolation from others as she attempts to keep her life apart from the community who has judged her.  Christina is led to her death in her attempt to escape the community.  Both women are victims of their community who has condemned them.

It is not until nearing the end of the text Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant that the reader understands the gravity of the community role's in 

diminishing the spirit of Pearl.  "….she hadn't been anyone's wife for over a third of a century; that she'd been frantic, angry, sometimes terrifying mother; and that she'd never shown the faintest interest in her community but dwelt in it like a visitor…doors tightly shut when at home.  That her life had been very long indeed 

but never full, stunted was more like it."(Tyler 285).  This is not the same woman who was once social, happy and content with life before the community 

passed judgement.  Ezra brings this to light has he reads his mothers diary to her recollecting her past, "I baked a few Scottish Fancies but they wouldn't do to take to a tea…I went out behind the house,…I believe that at just this moment I am absolutely happy." (Tyler 277)  It is through these diaries that glimpses of Pearl come to light.  Ezra enlightened indicates, " She [Pearl] had once been a whole different person…had spent her time swinging clubs with the Junior Amazon and cutting up with the Neal boys…and taking first prize at the Autumn Recital Contest (Tyler 264).  Pearl was driven into isolation, Ezra reflects, "Certainly she saw no friends; she had none.  As near as he could recall, she had never had friends."(Tyler 259)

Pearl had many suitors to choose from in her youth, "Frank brought her perfumed blotters and a box of …candy…Roy couldn't seem to tear himself away…Burt Tansy took her to the comic opera…Arthur…Hugh McKinley…"(Tyler 268).  Pearl had no problems attracting men but because she remained single when others considered it inappropriate, it reflected negatively on her persona.  The contrast of her full and happy life before being judged by the community and then trying to hold on to the image of marriage to avoid rebuke by the community leads to her isolation. The final obsession of being married is fulfilled at death at her eulogy.  The minister who never met 

Pearl reads," Pearl Tull, the minister said, was a devoted wife…" (Tyler 285) She had accomplished her deceit to her end.

Christina lives in a very social village.  The desperation and conflict of her own beliefs in contrast to the community leads to a nervous breakdown, "Your mother's staying in the hospital a few days." (Ricci 116).  Christina manages to escape her community, only to be faced with another on the ship to America.  The person she will need the most not only judges her as well but his own problems with alcoholism causes her death."  It was not the first death for this physician who Christina considers, a "drunken idiot" (Ricci 212).  Christina's own death is foreshadowed when the doctor recalls the complications of the last pregnant woman on board three month earlier, "The baby, unfortunately was stillborn." (Ricci 217) When Vitto is sent for his help, the doctor responds, "You're that woman's son, aren't you, the pregnant one who thinks she's a princess." (Ricci 228)  

Ricci and Tyler both demonstrate the influence a community has on its' victims.  Christina and Pearl were both judged.  Pearl acts the part of a married woman through out her life which takes away the joy of life and of living free to love.  Christina more defiant manages to escape after realizing the community is consuming her.  Her escape is not complete for another community is there to judge her, one that Pearl avoided after her marriage to Beck.  The person Christina will need the most on the ship has already judged her.  This judgement from a doctor is ironic due to his incompetence as a physician.  If he had thought 

more about Christina as a person,  he would have remained sober and would have had Christina monitored after giving birth.   Both Pearl and Christina failed to be able to live the life they wanted.  Though Pearl and Christina both left the community they lived in, Pearl chose to do so in isolation.  Christina bolder than Pearl escapes the country only to die at the hands of another community in judgement of her.  These two women were victims of a community who betrayed them.

Bibliography

Ricci, Nino.  Lives of the Saints.  Toronto: Cormorant, 2004.

Tyler, Anne.  Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.  Toronto: Random House, 1996.

  

Two Veterans commit suicide - Veteran out there please get help. Do not kill yourself.

    I was going to write today about my seminar yesterday, about Mississauga, about Christmas and about a hoarder the news broadcasted, who is sleeping on his porch with his cats while his house is being cleared of debris and his belongings.   I was going to write about how the community is complaining.  Not one person was interviewed who had anything good to say.  Not one has offered him a place to sleep or is assisting him.  They are simply embarrassed or annoyed or whatever.  I was not impressed with his neighbours.  Here is a man who needs help and is not getting it.  However,  I have just finished reading my emails and what was sent to me from a retiree is something about shame on Canada and the news that two veterans have killed themselves.

     Christmas though a happy occasion for some is devastating to others.  That is why I never take holidays during the Christmas season.  It is when people kill themselves.  One veteran who kills himself, is one too many.

     There is a lot of hoopla for veterans when they become crippled and when they die.  We have our Highway of Hero's to honour them.  What do we have for those who are alive?  What do we do for those who appear physically healthy?

    I had a personal friend, a priest who served loyally for over 20 years in the military.  He was also in the Persian Gulf War.  I was at his Parade when he received his medals.  I was there when he told me how a priest was killed in South America for defending two youths who were imprisoned.  The youths however were released because of him and the mother thanked him, by dictating that it was his job (the priest) to die for his vocation.  There was no concern that he had died defending her son.  There was no need to die.  My friend had a story to tell and I always encouraged him, to tell it for the world, to know.
     I was there when he suffered because of those too young to die affected him.  I was there to encourage him to take a weapon to defend himself.  Clergy have a choice to carry arms.  Or at least then.  So many things have changed and I have been told that I am fortunate to have been spared the changes.
   
    I was there when he became ill with Lou Gerhrig's disease which killed him but not until it ravaged his body.   He had to be hospitalized. He told me he wanted to go to Sunnybrook Hospital as a veteran but they had told him no.  I was stunned.  I had been at a retiree meeting years ago where they said that veterans were dying and were wondering what the hospital would  do with that wing.  It was built for veterans.  I contacted the hospital and the same was re-iterated as my old friend had told me.  I couldn't believe it and I contacted Veteran Affairs.  I  was told that because he was not a veteran from a World War, he did not qualify.  I argued that it was not right and the person I talked to agreed with me.  This man was abandoned by the government.  There was nothing I could do.  The last time I saw him was Christmas day last year.  I always made a point of visiting him at Christmas.  He had no family here.  I told him I had wrote to some editor about him being rejected by Sunnybrook and he replied, "good."  He added,  "the military taught us how to live among the people."  That is why he chose to be on the floor where he was among the people, rather than other priests.  But in his heart he wanted to be with other veterans.  His death was very upsetting to me.  He was much older than me.  He was the brother I never had.

       If you are a veteran out there and feel alone, please be aware that you are not alone.  I know how much you have sacrificed for your country.   I also know how you may feel alone or abandoned by those you have protected.  There is no job out there that sacrifices more of one self.  You are not alone. There are people who are you.  Find the person you need to talk to.  If one rejects you, find another.  No one should suffer their pain alone.  The services in place may be inadequate but there is such a place and such a person...........find him or her.  And Canada, "Shame on you."

Book sale at Show Case, York University

     My book sale at York University was fun as usual.  I re-connected with people I know.   I saw quite a few pictures of new babies. I also met some new interesting people. The woman who sat next to me this year was selling her art. I loved her bright cheerful colours. The islands influenced her work. Her husband is also an author and he is just as interesting. He is a retired professor and is also writing his second book. He however donates all his proceeds to a Lepercy foundation. I cannot afford to do this even though 10 percent would be my objective, if it was affordable. It costs so little to cure so many young people and prevent such a devestating desease from damaging and crippling so many people. Yet it is not being done. It is rather sad.  In some countries it is hidden from the world.  Our country could do more to pressure these countries.  What is that called?  Politics?   I did not know it was a problem in India as well.  He was not selling his book this year, but I shall buy it next year when he brings copies. My book is nothing so serious. I wrote it for fun in two months. My second book is more serious and it is most unfortunate that I always have to put it aside. Soon I will be sending off the final documentations for two Associations that I belong to. Then I will prepare for the new college. If I could have two weeks just to myself in the middle of nowhere land,  I could finish this book. Life gets in the way. However, I love all that I do and am constantly re-organizing my schedule and time. I go to York University once a year to sell my book, but more importantly I get re-energized by the people I meet. York is a fun place, full of interesting people. I love talking to the students, professors and staff equally. It is days like that I feel tempted to return to academia but I want to stay firm.  I was also asked how I am enjoying retirement. I reply that it is busy. To the University of Toronto, I return twice a year unless it is for a conference. I volunteer once a year as my way of giving back at my college book sale. I enjoy greeting the people into our building and hearing their stories. There are so many interesting people who enter and the topic is books, what they are studying or teaching and what brings them to the college. I also attend their culture night held in January. The artistic songs, playing of instruments, comedy and dance from both the students and professors always leaves me in awe. I am so fortunate to be an ulumni from both universities. I have learned so much from both. At Guelph University I took only one course that I needed and it too was nice. I really enjoyed the food in their cafeteria. It would be nice to check out each university and take one course just to compare. Now I must begin my day. Thank you for reading my blogs. What do you do? Are you happy doing it? What can you change to find something you like to do? What do you think?

Disaster in the Philippines

I notice that one of my readers today is from the Philippines. The news is full of reports and updates. It is sad to hear people beg for help, but help is coming. A woman recently asked me why God permits this? I spoke about global warming and free choice. But, in reality disasters have always occurred. What I marvel when I see the news is how countries bound to help. I also notice which countries are not helping. I dream of a world where everyone unites to help those who need it. Our country is matching donation dollars. I just want to say to my Philippine reader that I am thinking of your country and am watching and praying for you as many others are. I believe that prayer is very powerful and there have been a few studies to demonstrate that. From the sadness, there is a glimpse of humanity, as people gather to put aside their quarrels and unite for a greater purpose. This is what I call hope.