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Twenty-six days after the Hotel Montana collapsed Walter was found. 1,882 people (that we know of) have been keeping a vigil of hope alive all this time. Even as the days drew longer and longer, eminent thoughts of grace never ceased. But in the end he died in the earthquake. Haiti has become personal for many. FaceBook comments (“Walt Ratterman - Haiti Mission”) sometimes reflect our feelings of futility in the face of devastating situations, and we wonder, “What good could there ever be in this?” Even as the hope endures, the loss stings.
If you met Walter’s wife Jeanne and his daughter Briana when they were here a few years ago, then you know, like us, that the numb anonymity of a massive disaster is no longer an option. A face, a voice, smile a memory now accompany the huge numbers; the immense destruction. Maybe this plants at least one seed of good. We realize we really cannot be detached from the horrors of an earthquake, a tsunami, an avalanche, a tornado, hurricane, mudslide, wildfire, flood, blizzard, volcano, heat wave…. When it is personal, it is real; not just a newsclip on CNN that will fade from consciousness in a day or two.
I guess I’m wondering how many disasters must become personal before we as a human family come to realize how precious each breath is that we all draw in common? I just wonder if we would not be just a bit more astute in sharing the burden of humanity’s pain of which there is plenty without an added disaster. In here the hope continues and we can reach beyond the disaster.
It's important to keep raising the question and probing for the right answers, which Dillon told us are "blowin' in the wind." I always think of the wind as the breath of God whose concerns Jesus has articulated for us and passed on in The New Testament. But I am loath to admit I haven't studied the Word well myself; and practicing it is harder still; Teaching our children, a priority assignment...not exempting us, of course, from wherever disaster strikes. Here on the homefront perhaps our most obvious tasks are bullying in the schools and drugs. I'm wondering how houses of worship in the area, can work together more effectively to serve our young people...I'm thinking about providing social and recreational opportunities together...Thinking out loud here. Ciao!
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