Saturday, January 16, 2010

Beloved

New Orleans has a centuries old connection with Haiti.

So watching the suffering strikes deep in our hearts.

There are many Haitians living in New Orleans.


One of them is our friend and our tango student. Last week he came to class bringing some photos he wanted to show us.

He brought photos of the happy times he had in Haiti. He wanted to show us that something beautiful once existed where all is now destroyed.

I was very touched by this.

So I did a little search for images of Haiti before the earthquake.

True it's a country of contrasts, and a place that has had it's fair share of bad luck with hurricanes and mudslides.

The people are beautiful, and they are fighters.


And the road ahead is the hardest one yet.

The whole world is responding.

We humans are good and kind and concerned.

So as you look at these pretty pictures of Haiti, I hope you enjoy them.

If you cannot go there to help, or cannot afford to make a donation to help, send them a little good wish, a little prayer.

Every region has it's impending hazards, a potential "big one" of some kind.


You never know when your world will be turned upside down.

You never know what twists and turns, and trials and tribulations will come your way.

It was Haiti today, it could be one of us tomorrow.


So embrace someone or something you care for. Enjoy the relative calm of your everyday life.


Be kind if you can. To yourself, and to others.


We are all the same in the way we feel happiness and sadness.

We are all the same in the way we deal with crisis.

We help one another. It's our nature.

In New Orleans we sometimes shake our head and say "It ain't dere no more".


In New Orleans sometimes we laugh and say, "It ain't dere no more".


We have had so many wonderful people come to help us in New Orleans, and so many people helped us in their hometowns and cities.


This outreach and caring has done more for us than you can possibly realize.


Five years and counting and the scars are fading, and hearts are healing.

Five years later we are not always waiting for the other shoe to drop. At least not all of the time.

Five years later we are at a beginning we can wrap our minds around.

I wish it were five years later for the people in Haiti.


Happy Weekend!

PS If you'd like to see another beautiful post about Haiti, go to the blog Soodie Beasley.

17 comments:

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Beautiful post! I am praying for those who are in Haiti. What a monumental task lies ahead for them! laurie

soodie :: said...

Yes, very beautiful post. I hope their strong spirit will help them repair and transcend this...

(i did a little post tribute as well)

Anonymous said...

A beautiful tribute to your Haitian heritage in New Orleans. May the entire world reach out to them at this critical time.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Amen Sister V. Amen. And we help...however we can...but we are. They know it. They feel it. They are strong.

I wish them 5 years from now too.

Unknown said...

I do too. Awesome tribute to Haiti. You brought tears to my eyes.

Thanks,
Debbie

Maria Killam said...

Beautiful post - thanks so much! (yes send me a photo and I'll give you my 2 cents :)

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post and tribute to the Haitian people. Our prayers and support here in Canada go out to Haiti in this time of suffering.

CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED said...

Perhaps you New Orleans people are the best equipped to write about Haiti. I could not even begin to find words, but you have done so eloquently and sincerely. Switching gears to your earlier post, I like cowhides- a lot. Just as with meat, I find free range sources.

Renae Moore said...

Heartwarming post Valorie. My heart aches for these people...I too wish it were 5 years down the road for them. If only I could go down and scoop up all the children.
xx

red ticking said...

FABULOUS post... and blessings to you and to all of them... many prayers daily... and for all those there providing care to all those in need... x pam

Jenny said...

What a thoughtful and beautiful post. Thank you.

Gwen Driscoll said...

Valorie,

What a great post. The images are beautiful and I am praying for those in Haiti who have such a long road ahead. Have a great week.

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Red River Interiors,LLC said...

This post is excellent! It's warm and the pics are so beautiful. I visited my dear friend at a mission in Haiti yrs ago and loved it. She taught school there at the time and met a wonderful Haitian man in PA when she came back to the US. May the peace of God be with those that suffer much and may we continue to pray & give unto them... Fay

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

what a BEAUTIFUL post Val... many prayers to the people, and one for you too...

:D Lynda

Kwana said...

Oh wow. What a beautiful post and both sad and uplifting too. It brings a tear to my eye. I'm praying hard that one day joy will come from these ashes. One day.

Anonymous said...

Amen