Many Hands, Not Held by China, Aid in Quake
The headline this morning from the New York Times: Many Hands, Not Held by China, Aid in Quake
Apparently the Chinese are getting the joy of joining in to aid their fellowman, without encouragement from the government.
For some reason, this spoke to me of my own situation. How I wish I could get some appreciation for my aid. Or perhaps be as remote and authoritarian as the Chinese government.
I am sure it is a very thin analogy for some. For me it is the story of my life. My hands, not held by those I help, trying to aid. No one seems to appreciate me.
My father tells me to back off, in encouraging my mother to have the minor procedure to replace her pacemaker battery. Although that mission was accomplished, and my mother got to save face with her doctor from looking like some kind of lunatic, and just looking like an understandably fearful old lady. My father later tells me I am bossy. Who knew?
Certainly not my children.
It seems to me a long time coming. How many years I spent being at the beck and call of my parents, my siblings, my peers, even those naggingly demanding babies. Letting them run my life like some non-benevolent dictator. Forgive me if I cannot feel apologetic for finally overcoming this. Forgive me if there is some worry about my insurrection lead by the addictive power of certainty.
I like knowing things. I like feeling trust in my instincts. I am sick to death of sitting back and watching the daily bombs of everyday life blow up in my face. There are things to be laid-back about, like grades, or my father's return to wine. But then there are the things to lose sleep over. My mother being an idiot about her health care. My father refusing to take his prescribed meds. My sister finally going totally ape-shit nuts. My children falling into the same traps that I have.
Instead I will try to remember, as my baby sister, younger but wiser, has counseled. It all makes great material. Watch out for the screenplay.
Apparently the Chinese are getting the joy of joining in to aid their fellowman, without encouragement from the government.
For some reason, this spoke to me of my own situation. How I wish I could get some appreciation for my aid. Or perhaps be as remote and authoritarian as the Chinese government.
I am sure it is a very thin analogy for some. For me it is the story of my life. My hands, not held by those I help, trying to aid. No one seems to appreciate me.
My father tells me to back off, in encouraging my mother to have the minor procedure to replace her pacemaker battery. Although that mission was accomplished, and my mother got to save face with her doctor from looking like some kind of lunatic, and just looking like an understandably fearful old lady. My father later tells me I am bossy. Who knew?
Certainly not my children.
It seems to me a long time coming. How many years I spent being at the beck and call of my parents, my siblings, my peers, even those naggingly demanding babies. Letting them run my life like some non-benevolent dictator. Forgive me if I cannot feel apologetic for finally overcoming this. Forgive me if there is some worry about my insurrection lead by the addictive power of certainty.
I like knowing things. I like feeling trust in my instincts. I am sick to death of sitting back and watching the daily bombs of everyday life blow up in my face. There are things to be laid-back about, like grades, or my father's return to wine. But then there are the things to lose sleep over. My mother being an idiot about her health care. My father refusing to take his prescribed meds. My sister finally going totally ape-shit nuts. My children falling into the same traps that I have.
Instead I will try to remember, as my baby sister, younger but wiser, has counseled. It all makes great material. Watch out for the screenplay.