I‘m having a difficult time turning my attention to anything light or funny right now. I’ve begun three different posts in the last few days and deleted them all. I want to tell you local stories and interesting observations that might otherwise be funny, but knowing there are children in Haiti trapped and dying and waiting for help too slow in coming – I can’t shake it.
The stories and images on CNN and elsewhere have burned through my skin and marked me. I hug The Perfect Grandson too tightly at times and kiss his fat little cheeks until he has to push me away. I don’t care. I have the luxury of knowing where he is and that he’s not hungry or alone in the dark. Or worse.
The thing is, I’m taking this tragedy personally. Many people just as removed from the earthquake as I am are feeling the same. Empathy isn’t a tap that turns cleanly off and I guess it shouldn’t be. Loving and aching for people we don’t know in places we’ve never visited should not be difficult. Something in our DNA must connect us all, like twins who feel each other’s pain, simply because we are human.
It’s the sense of helplessness that’s haunting me right now. There are things to be done and very few time-sensitive ways to make them happen in Haiti. I’ve given money. Past that, I’m just some grandmother sitting in a chair watching the news. I’d rather be clawing at concrete, bare-handed and bleeding.
CNN has a list of emergency relief groups who need your donations. You can also donate $10 via text to the American Red Cross. Simply text “Haiti” to 90999. Giving in this time of anguish is the most and the least we can do.
No Telling 
Right there with you and much of the world. Tragedy is tragedy, but when it hits these already drastically impoverished areas of the world, it goes beyond devastation.
It's really hit me, too. When I first saw on the news a few days ago, I nearly cried, and I could not begin to explain why it struck me so deeply. If I thought I could be any help, I'd be right down there clawing at the concrete with you; unfortunately, I have no experience in search and rescue. I just wish there was -something- I could do.
I know…
It is so hard to realize that while I am sitting in my rocker, staring at a screen, people are in such a desperate situation – and there is nothing to DO.
It makes me- (well,many things), but proud of our country – no matter what our situation, when there is a crisis, we lose our self- absorbtion and want to HELP.
We can give- and we can pray…
I actually just gave 20 dollars and I am on the verge of bankruptcy to begin with, but they are much more in need than I am.
I related to this blog on so many levels. For whatever reason, this tragedy has hit me harder than any previous. Perhaps because as I hold my two young children close, I know that there are other mothers who are staring into the scared eyes of their own children. Or worse, children who are scared and hungry and thirsty and don't even have their mothers to provide comfort.
I just can't seem to shake it. My heart is breaking and aching and I just wish I could do so much more.
I've already shed so many tears for the Haitian people and I've donated money. When I read this line, “I'm just some grandmother sitting in a chair watching the news. I'd rather be clawing at concrete, bare-handed and bleeding.”, I cried all over again. I so relate to that. I'd be right there beside you.
As horrific as it is, there is a little hope. If you haven't seen this, please read about the rescued and relocated orphans who are making it out of the country and into the arms of their adoptive parents.
Every time I turn on the news my heart aches all over again, each time more deeply and sharply. As it should. I can't imagine any other way.
I was in vacation in Thailand when the quake happened and didn't get to know about it right away but when I saw it on TV I couldn't help but cry. The people of Haiti had enough on their plate already. I wish I could go and help in person.
I think one positive that we can take away from this tragedy is a renewed focus on helping Haiti get it right. With Clinton, Bush, and Obama working together and our local yokels up here, maybe we can actually help Haiti to truly get on her own two feet, instead of us messing up their affairs.
As a mother and a teacher, it was the story of children's bodies being piled outside of the rubble of the schools they died in that did me in. Within minutes I found a relief agency I wanted to donate to, got my entire school involved, and we have raised over $700 so far with the goal of $1000 by tomorrow afternoon. Kids are sending in change and parents and staff are sending checks. I think everyone feels blessed to be able to tuck their own children safely in bed, knowing what those in Haiti have faced and will continue to suffer through.