Love and Prayers for Haiti

As I click around my little corner of the blogo-sphere this week I feel like I’m about the only person who hasn’t said something about the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

It’s not that I don’t know it happened and it’s certainly NOT that I don’t feel for the people of that nation and pray for them (even with my boys) every night. Because I do.

I’m kinda weird when it comes to big tragedies. It’s almost like part of me wants to block it out. I’m not trying to pretend that it didn’t happen or anything ridiculous like that. It’s just that sometimes I feel that if I let myself process the REAL scope of what happened that it would be truly overwhelming for me.

I visited Haiti when I was 14 years old. I had the opportunity to tag along with my parents, their best friends and my aunt and uncle on a Caribbean cruise and the cruise line docked on the “safe” side of the island for a day of food, snorkeling and beach volleyball.

I remember the staff from the ship telling us not to even attempt to go over “that” hill “over there”, as it was not safe for us to cross over.

I remember the marketplace that was okay for us walk through and my mother “haggling” over a hand-carved wooden container that she would purchase from a very shy woman sitting on the ground, selling her wares. I wish she would have paid ten times the price.

It was an emotional day for me, my Dad and I trying to decide whether we should snorkel or not and my father’s best friend telling us we must go because we many never get another chance. He was, at the time, ridden with pancreatic cancer and would pass away a month after we returned from the trip. He never did get the chance. We decided to take ours.

I remember the beauty of the aqua-colored water and the colorful, amazing fish I came face to face with while below the surface of the ocean.

I remember the lavish and delicious lunch that they spread out before us under white tents.

I knew NOTHING of what the people of the country were going through then and still do to this day…

As I put the plethora of clothes away that I’ve laundered for my children or get them yet another snack I think of the children in Haiti and how they suffered even BEFORE this awful, terrible event took place. I contemplate how they are probably hungry and dehydrated and scared. And then I have to stop for a bit because my heart can’t take it.

I gave money last week through Compassion because I know that my donation will make it to the children there that need it so. I know it’s the least I can do – I probably should have given more…

I feel somewhat guilty that I can’t give more, like my time or clothes or food. Or that the children there can’t live the lifestyle that mine do. I feel that same guilt every night when I pray for our sponsor child that lives in Uganda. It’s just so hard on a mother’s heart to think that every child cannot have the same luxuries, even something as ‘simple’ as clean water.

Of course in the wake of tragedy come many, MANY people who want to help and do. I must highlight two of my blogging friends who raised money through their comments and the generosity of those around them.

Way to go OhMommy and DesignHER Momma! You ladies are awesome and have done such an admirable thing. My hat is off to you. (p.s. I know there are MANY bloggers who did this kind of thing but I follow these two the most and “contributed” to their comments…)

My heart goes out to everyone in Haiti but especially the children. I just cannot imagine what their little hearts and minds are going through since this terrible event took place.

If you have yet to donate or even have and want to give more, and find it in your heart to do so, I recommend Compassion. They are a wonderful organization, helping underprivileged children around the world.

Many prayers and much love for the nation of Haiti and its people.