For all the complaining people do about America (inside and out of it) I feel like few other countries rise to the occasion like we do. OK, I’ll admit that’s biased. But I think as Americans, we realize that no matter what we have or don’t have, we possess so much more than people around the world.
Still, it’s hasn’t been a fun stretch here for Americans. Many have lost jobs or been forced to move out of their homes. There’s little extra money lying around to spend even on ourselves or our families, but still, we did our best and gave what we had to help people in Haiti. People donating just $10 via texting have raised millions for the Red Cross to bring aid to the devastated country.
It’s strange how the worst of times seem to bring out the best in people. I certainly don’t want bad, catastrophic events happening all over the place, but I wish the world could maintain this approach at all times, good and bad. When something bad happens that we don’t expect, we all seem to look around and say, “Hey, nothing else matters right now except for the fact that we need to help each other get through this.”
Really, it’s how we should always behave. We all come from different places. Not all of us agree on healthcare or gay marriage or religion or politics. But under that all, we are all humans. There can be no better reason as to why we should treat each other with respect.
So while I wish this horrible earthquake never happened, I do hope we learn something from it. I hope we remember that if former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and current President Barack Obama can unite for common cause, anyone can. I hope we remember to help people in need, not just when something catastrophic happens. I hope we remember that even when we feel like we can’t do any more, we usually can.
For anyone who has courageously flown down to Haiti to help in the relief efforts, anyone who has donated money or supplies, or to anyone who has simply offered up a prayer, thank you.
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