" It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times"
- Charles Dickens

"These are the times that try men's
souls" - Thomas Paine

Recent news of devastation in South Asia rivets our attention and numbs our minds.  We are again faced with the frailty of the human condition and a sense of powerlessness.   It is indeed a credit to our national character that at such a time, we rise as one to reach across the globe and lend whatever assistance we are able. Private businesses want to reach out and lend assistance, individuals want to lend support (financial and manual), governments reach out and offer a variety of supports.

We are hovered at the television watching in awe at what out "brothers" are dealing with on the other side of the globe.  The last time we felt this devastation, we watched Florida dig out from this summer's hurricanes and before that, we watched frozen as New York dug out from 9-11.  We see again the pattern that brings forth the innate character and brotherhood of man.  It is watching the goodness in the face of horror that restores our hope, our dignity, and allows us to move forward.

I can't help but look to my left and look to my right and ask if I am extending that same hand of brotherhood to my neighbor.  It is the human condition - it puts "control" just beyond my arm and yours....  it manifests itself daily all around us.

It strikes the widow who suddenly finds herself living alone and with half the income she planned for her old age.  How can she afford her medications, how can she pay the gas bill this winter with anticipated 30% increases in energy costs?

It strikes the assembly worker who finds himself laid of, after working 25 years for the same company.  He was earning $60, 000 with his overtime and living a $75,000 lifestyle (kids in college, house mortgaged). He didn't have 

Source: Associated Press

"Are we able to reach down and lift one another out from the shock of life's tragedies?"

any warning.  He couldn't restructure his debt. His home is in jeopardy of foreclosure. He will find another job. It will pay $35,000 with no overtime. will he lose his home? will he lose all hi equity?.

It strikes the young woman whose husband is killed or maimed in Iraq.  How will they or she move forward? Who will help her to re-establish her lifestyle?

It strikes the middle aged woman who finds herself divorced, 

never having worked and having few marketable skills.

It strikes the aging white collar worker who suddenly is diagnosed with a debilitating disease and is unable to work and provide for his family.

All these are unforeseen life tragedies that thrust our "day to day normal lifestyle" out the window and bring us to our knee. Look to your left. Look to your right. How was the holiday for your neighbor? Did they face one, of many sudden, unforeseen life changing experiences that put them on the verge of poverty. are they looking to their left.... looking to their right.. and wondering who they can turn to, where they can go for help? Does our national character extend to our neighbor? are we able to reach down and lift one another out from the shock of life's tragedies?

We continue to demonstrate that we are a noble and visionary county.  We repeatedly "rise to the occasion". Let us not fail now. Let us become sensitive to the needs of our neighbors who have succumbed to illness, layoffs, death, and / or divorce.  I choose to believe in the integrity of mankind and I choose to extend  myself toward my brother, believing that if and when my time comes, my neighbor will be there for me.

God bless all who have lost and or ar suffering from the devastation in South Asia and all who rise to assist them at this hour.