Wednesday morning

Ella and I went to the park this morning. A chilly and fierce wind was blowing; kind of eerie.

My daughter called the other day; she has been offered a job in Haiti with S.O.I.L. She intends to accept and go to Haiti in January. She's informed them about her application to UC Santa Cruz (although she recognizes that if UCSC does accept her for the 6-month program that starts in April, she still has to find a way to get the money to attend). At any rate, it sounds like S.O.I.L. would let her go attend the program and, I guess, come back afterwards. She just posted this link on Facebook which I - taking a clue from the article title - read and decided to share here:

http://dyinginhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-you-dont-read-anything-else-about.html?spref=fb

As I prepare to roast a free-range turkey for David, his brother and myself, along with sweet potatoes, acorn squash, stuffing, apple cobbler, David's delicious cranberry walnut bread - my thoughts are with those in Haiti, waiting for foreign and local bureaucrats to address their life-and-death struggle with cholera, to provide simple IV fluids that would save 80% of those affected. I know for what I am thankful - I have had a good year, with a good job and health insurance, a great team of oncologists, loving family, supportive friends, and together beat back the beast, Cancer. My children are healthy. My son working, my daughter-in-law providing the center that holds, my grandson growing, thriving. My daughter finding her own path and commitment to repairing the world. My brother well, my cousin C recovered from an almost fatal accident, my aunt feisty as ever, my cousin D hanging in there, her brother D, supporting his lovely big family. All their children well. For what should those dying of an all-too-curable disease in Haiti be thankful for this year?

Ah... peace and justice... The sun shines down on all, but suffering still lays a dark shadow on those who least can bear it. Why? For how long? I can only ask, what can I do?