A Great Human Tragedy

-

It's just too much to comprehend.

The Haiyan typhoon that struck in the Philippine city of Tacloban has a death toll of at least 10,000.

Ten thousand human beings hanging from trees, buried in rubble, and basically unaccounted for.

It's incomprehensible.

What's left is just a pile of debris for the people who survived. They're running through the streets, searching for loved ones, looking for food, trying to find just something that will allow them to live another day.

I can't even imagine.

The winds hit about 147 MPH. The waters rose high, slamming and destroying whatever was in the path.

And at these times you'll hear about people questioning God.

Even blaming Him.

Pat Robertson or one of those goofy bastards who preach to take money from the desperate will blame it on the gays, or bad living by the people who live here. They will signal it as the end of times.

And there are moments when you have to shake your head in wonder.

Why?

I have a belief that there is a great struggle between good and evil. A video game of sorts between the all-powerful.

And that sometimes evil wins.

And what is righteous suffers and takes a hit.

That's the way I look at it.

God is saddened by it all.

I know.

I know.

That is simplistic and shortsighted, right?

But so is blaming the gays.

And the way I think about it, God is saddened.

You know how I know that to be true?

Because we are saddened.

And we are the little mini-mes that God put together for the purpose of helping one another here on the grounds where evil sometimes wins.

Despite our best efforts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more