I haven't posted for a few days. Geo and I have spent many hours watching CNN, FOX and MSNBC - just prior to the recent disaster and all the days following. In the comfort of our living room we've seen the hurricane, flooding, fires, destruction, anarchy, evacuations, and the desperation of abandoned people on a scale unimaginable. Through T-V I'm witnessing all of this, yet I just cannot wrap my mind around what is happening. I cannot even imagine the horror of the destruction and the pain of human loss.
New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, inland towns and cities and residents are irrevocably changed. In the comfort of my living room I now feel out of touch, like a helpless spectator. However, just as life as we knew it changed after 9-11, so our lives will change post Katrina. The hurricane struck and the waves and the ripples will reach most every person in the United States. For me the bottom line is: how do we regard our fellow human beings; how do we regard one another? Perhaps the one thing to be salvaged in all this mess is hope.
The psychological impact will be immense. Jenna, if you do become a clinical psychologist, you will have your work cut out for you for years to come. And Adriene, with your degree you will be able to help people to see and to appreciate beauty once again, and to be enriched by it.
I am happy to hear that Wells College was one of the first to announce they would accept the relocation of college students to their campus. This will be an opportunity for one of our family to reach out to personally welcome a few of those who were immediately affected by this catastrophe.
4 comments:
Well, no one's come yet from the tragedy to take the opportunity to matriculate at Wells!
AK
I understand that the offer was made on Friday to accept up to 15 students who had been accepted into the Gulf colleges that are unable to open due to the hurricane. This was just a few days ago. Let us know if any students relocate to Wells.
well, from the word around campus, there's two students that matriculated at Wells for the fall semester who are in fact affected directly by katrina. I have yet to see the students, but the families are around, and one of the dorms had a big welcoming dinner for them last night.
AK
Am happy to hear Wells is reaching out - the welcoming dinner was a wonderful way to help them feel at home. Expecting to go to college in one of the Gulf states, then to end up in the finger lakes region of NY must be a major adjustment. Let me know when you happen to meet one of the students. Love, Mom
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