This is the longest I have been away, and not by choice, either. Hurrican Katrina had her grip on my internet capabilities until late last week. I will not complain, however, because the devasation she left behind in the Gulf Coast is incomparable. My heart and thoughts go out to those who are suffering in that region. Having to begin new lives after such a disaster, I can't even imagine being in their shoes. But as the news reporters have been saying recently (prompted, surprisingly, by Rev. Al Sharpton), they are not refugees, they are survivors; they will find ways to start over.
I will say this, though: I am tired of seeing nothing but the depressing sights on TV of the mess Katrina left behind; I am tired of rising gas prices and the cost of living; I am tired of our leaders constantly letting us down, abandoning and neglecting us; I am tired of Kanye West's big mouth, and as a result, feel sorry for Mike Myers who had to play it cool when Kanye decided to spout off his personal opinions at the wrong time; I am tired of everything in this country being narrowed down to "race relations." I am "sick and tired of being sick and tired!"
What I do love seeing is how civilians in this country band together when our fellow citizens need our help. It was visible during 9/11 and it is apparent now. Lately, watching the rescue efforts is the only thing that warms me. The compassion that we suppress in daily life releases itself in abundance when tragedy strikes, and being able to actually see it in the faces and efforts that people are making is what makes me feel proud to be American.
For all of those in the Gulf Coast, we hear and see you. Even if our leaders abandoned you, we will not. You are in good hands now.
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