So, the theme of yesterday's memorial service for Joplin was taken from the words of one of the greatest teachers of all time: "Love thy neighbor." Of course, the teacher was Jesus.
Those of you who know the "agnostic" Sammi, may also know that in spite of my uncertainty that there is a higher power, I would never deny the validity and value of the words of a man who sought to teach his fellow men (and women) about compassion, forgiveness and doing the right thing.
I think we are all amazed in times of great crisis and tragedy how quickly people gather to lend a hand. I think the reason why we are all so amazed is because everyone was seemingly unaware of the person next to them until they were in great trouble. I think it's important to note that I'm not condemning humanity for this foible, I'm just talking about it.
I don't know why we wait.
I don't know why we only think about families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. I don't know why there isn't someone ringing a bell with a red bucket on every corner every single day. I don't know why a tsunami has to hit the region of Southeast Asia before we care about the people there. I don't know why there has to be a genocide in Rowanda or Darfur before anyone is aware that someone is suffering inhumanity. I don't know why a chunk of a town has to be picked up, blended and scattered to the four corners to bring an outpouring of neighbor love. It just know that's what happens.
Last fall, I visited Baltimore, Maryland, and walked around in one of the poorest areas I have ever seen. This spring I walked through the poorest area of Denver, Colorado. I was moved by both scenes, but not moved enough to do more than reflect on it. In both instances, the only action I was moved to take was to hold my handbag closer to my body and to look around suspiciously, because I was in self-defense mode. I know it's normal to feel that way--scared that someone who has less is going to try to take what you have, or even harm you to get it. I just wish it wasn't.
As I see how social networking sites like Facebook connect Joplin ex-pats to their community and keep everyone abreast of what all of the needs of the community are, I think everyone watching is astounded. It's a true testament to the words President Barack Obama spoke yesterday. To paraphrase, he said that the heroic acts of those who died saving others is proof of the fact that humans are inclined to love one another and to want to help each other.
While I think that is true, and I am so glad that it is, I am still disappointed that for so many of us (myself included), it takes two-hundred mile per hour winds to breathe life into that part of our hearts that reaches out to a stranger.
There are two organizations that I didn't expect to receive as much attention during this time of tragedy, but then again, I think some of the lessons of Katrina may have finally informed us of the human/pet bond. The Joplin Humane Society Animal Adoption and Resource Center and Animals Lost and Found From the Joplin, Mo Tornado have been making regular posts on Facebook about what their needs are and subsequently regular posts about the things that are being provided to them. As a veterinary technician, I am so happy to see the success of these two organizations, because as I know with my own pets, the families and individuals in Joplin who have suffered greatly will be buoyed by the unconditional love and devotion of their pets when they are reunited. In the days, weeks, months and years to come, a cold, wet nose in the middle of the night when you can't close your eyes because you're afraid of what you will see, can make all of the difference in letting you know you are never alone.
Groups like the Red Cross and churches from all over are also receiving support to help get aid and donated items to victims quickly. I've seen many posts indicating that the sheer volume of physical donations is so great that finding places to store everything is becoming a difficulty. So, I am sure that their requests that for the time being new donations come in the form of financial assistance still will be met with a positive response.
Insurance companies are on site to provide help with filing claims and, I am told, some even have on site mental health professionals available for people to talk to. I think many of us would agree that insurance companies don't exactly have the reputation of being compassionate and caring, so seeing this side of them is so encouraging. Jeph tells me that in the areas where people are clearing rubble, trucks come by with people offering food, drinks and whatever is needed to keep the people going in the thick of the damaged areas.
This truly is a time when humanity shows its best side. I am happy to see it.
But, at the same time, I think about the times I see the humane organization posting signs in the building I work in about how desperately they need money to provide much needed care or surgery to a pet that is being fostered. I think of the humane organization that does an "adopt one, get one free" cat drive at least once a year because the number of kittens and cats they have to care for far and away exceeds the funding they have to provide that care. I think of individuals who have hit upon hard times and their pets are the only bright spot they have in their day-to-day, but when their furry friend is sick, they have no means to provide the care that is needed.
I think about single moms in shelters at night, staying awake to watch over their children to make sure they are not harmed by anyone and that the meager items they may have been able to hold onto are not stolen while they sleep. I think of the mentally ill veteran who wanders aimlessly through the downtown area of whatever city they are in all day because they don't have a place to be until it's dark outside and the shelters open again. I think about those people who buy a Coke at the McDonald's in Baltimore and drink it as slowly as they can so they can stay inside where it's warm a little while longer.
I think I don't understand the part of human nature that doesn't see these everyday tragedies. There isn't anyone to film them. Anderson Cooper isn't talking about the dog that has to be euthanized because the shelter is overrun by pets that need to be cared for and this one has been here too long and likely will not be adopted. Brian Williams isn't around to talk about the child whose gets one extra meal for the day as part of the school lunch program, but that same child will not have a lunch all summer.
There is no one to shine the light on these tragedies. There is no one to shine the light on these things that happen every single day. They happen in all of our towns. They happen to people we never meet. They happen to the proud person in line behind us at the grocery store.
Barack Obama said something at the end of his speech yesterday that impacted me with almost biblical clarity. "We aren't going anywhere!" He repeated it several times, almost like a chant. I love that he said it. As someone who thinks of Joplin as a second home town, I hope it's true. I hope that everyone who is needed is there to lend the hand for as long as it is necessary--which will be a very long time. I hope that when the news trucks leave and the Facebook posts start to be a slow trickle, instead of a minute-by-minute ticker tape that fills our home pages, someone will still be looking out for those who need it most.
I still have hope that in spite of the historical evidence of humanity, that when the light is out, a little piece of the spirit that brings us together in horrifying tragedy will linger, and will help us see the need that is there all the other days and that we might lend a hand more often.
http://youtu.be/XgyF1yW8h5Y
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