Katrina
Miscellaneous thoughts from the Labor Day weekend...I still haven't heard from my good friend Tod Vogt, who lives in Mandeville, LA, a small town some 35 miles north of New Orleans. He's the preaching minister for the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ there. Hoping to hear from him soon...the devastation from Katrina is hard to imagine, even taking in the constant barrage of pictures. Two stories caught my eye this morning as I was reading the paper. In the first, a six-year-old boy was found leading six other children, each younger, through the maze of destruction that is New Orleans. The notion of displaced children, either separated from their parents, or now orphaned, wandering those streets is pretty horrific. (On the other hand, it is no more horrific in New Orleans than it is in Uganda or in one of the countries of South America. The cries of "how could this happen in America" sound like hubris to me.) The toughness of that little boy caring for that small entourage is inspiring and humbling...The second story was a small item, citing the fact that rescue workers found 22 bodies tied together. The human drama of their attempt to survive the storm is palpable, stunning...the best and worst of humanity on display...and a final Katrina note: Anjie and I spent our honeymoon in New Orleans. Breakfast at Brenna''s that day was one of the finest meals I've ever eaten--Oysters Benedict...no words to describe the loss being experienced by over a half million people.
Been taking some time off the past 4-5 days, which for me is often an exercise in futility. Restlessness and unease often subverts any attempt at rest, but I'm happy to report that I'm at it again this morning with a bit more energy. It's always a joy to hang out with Anjie and the kids (though I don't always act that way.) Watched Friday Night Lights again with Anjie and Daniel--what a great movie! Am also making my way back through the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Robert Persig's discusson of the split of classic and romantic thought--and quality--is challenging me again.
Lots of writing to do this week.
Back to it...
8:41:32 AM
