2001-06-12 - 18:55 MDT

THE WONDERING JEW

Good Things Afoot

The hockey puckey is done,

The Avalanche has won,

The rioters now quiet,

As I go on a rah-rah diet

There is a cup,

Now put it up,

Do not use it to sup.

Went through the News today and found one of those good things mentioned. Only one, but a good one. Seems like there is a Critical Care nurse who retired to take care of her Mother who was in a hospice. After her Mom's death she volunteered with the Red Cross. She is flown by the Red Cross to the site of disasters large and small. Her other expenses are her own I guess -- article only mentioned that the Red Cross paid transportation for her. Maybe sleeping quarters and food are supplied by the teams working in the area.

She has helped earthquake victims in Los Angeles, hurricane victims in the Virgin Islands - Puerto Rico - and North Carolina, typhoon survivors in Guam and flood victims across the United States. Recently she was in Ellicott, Colorado about forty miles from her home in Colorado Springs where a tornado had caused extensive damage. I don't want to bring it up it really because of the unrest lately and bad feelings, but this lady witnessed first hand the tragedy that was Oklahoma City and tried to help and comfort victims while her heart was pierced by seeing what a disaster it truly was.

She is only one of the volunteers who drop everything and rush to the scene, risks the threat of disease attendant to situations like that, possible injuries, works long hard hours with little comfortable rest. One who cares enough for her fellow human to give of herself so that others can survive, be comforted, fed, bandaged, medicated and have shelter provided in one form or another.

With the usual occurances of disaster around the world, it is a cinch that volunteer disaster workers have little private life.

It is mind bending to consider the army of people who are self sacrificing to the max with no desire for pay or public recognition. The heartbreak they witness, the innumerable people, hurt, dazed, grief stricken and confused that people like her comfort and help, ignoring the heartbreak that she undergoes. Battle Fatigue would be a good term for what these wonderful volunteers suffer without complaint.

Today I could find just one good thing, but it can be multiplied by thousands of workers all over the world who are volunteers. So I found an article about one person, but who represents and is symbolic of all who sacrifice to help others.

Just reading about one, by using the multiplier of thousands it shows that every day there are Good Things Afoot . . . . . .

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