Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010

With the exception of a couple of religious or political zealots, the reaction from the nation to the devastation that took place in Haiti one week ago today has been a force, even as countless officials struggled to get aid to what is now an estimated 1.5 million who have lost their homes, the death toll having climbed close to a reported 200,000.

Not even a full month into 2010, as the nation struggles with its economic health and health care, Americans tweeted, texted and Facebooked the need to give whatever possible to help one of the poorest countries in the world.

Those who can spare a financial donation, it seems, have been doing just that as donations climb into the millions – surely to grow even more Friday during what is expected to be a start-studded telethon organized by super-celebrity George Clooney.

Because of the nature of the situation, because food and clothing may be hard to get to those who need it and funds help fuel those necessities better in this case, donating is important.
But continued attention should be paid.

Out of the rubble of the destroyed capital of Port-au-Prince come stories of unimaginable survival – men and women and children who have survived against all odds. Out of the suffering, stories of hardworking crews from all over the world who have rallied on this tiny island for the betterment of a fellow man, a fellow nation.

Out of the lives lost, come stories of lives saved by fearless doctors who are often taken a bit for granted. Expected to be in our hospitals, expected to give us the utmost care. Now, they are in the trenches of devastation saving lives with whatever is available to them.

This week, let the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., telling us all to give of ourselves unto others, to ask how we can help a fellow man, continue to ring as we aid a suffering nation.

And when the attention to that country has melted away, which it often does in such cases, let the words continue to ring as we move through our own communities and remember what it feels like to give – not unto ourselves but of ourselves.