Tragedies Small and Large
I'm feeling kind of somber today. Today was the funeral of Dorothy Green. I was engaged for awhile to her youngest son; even though we broke up a decade ago, I remained close to the family, and especially to "Dia," as everyone called her. She had been hospitalized late last week with organ failure, and refused life support. She said she was tired and ready to go.
Dia was an amazing woman. She had just about the hardest life of anyone I know--abusive childhood, three bad marriages, nine children, and crippling arthritis. She endured poverty and discrimination, and watched countless loved ones die or go to jail or otherwise destroy their lives. Despite all this, she still managed to be one of the most serene, quietly joyful people I know. She was a constant inspiration. I'm glad that she's not in pain anymore, and I wish very much that I could have been at her funeral this afternoon.
On a less personal note, the New Orleans disaster seems to be on all our minds today. Of all the articles I've read, this one brought it home to me best. (I also really like Molly Ivins's essay on how this is a great example of why government matters.) If you can, please donate money to the Red Cross for relief. I'm going to do so when I get paid tomorrow.
Dia was an amazing woman. She had just about the hardest life of anyone I know--abusive childhood, three bad marriages, nine children, and crippling arthritis. She endured poverty and discrimination, and watched countless loved ones die or go to jail or otherwise destroy their lives. Despite all this, she still managed to be one of the most serene, quietly joyful people I know. She was a constant inspiration. I'm glad that she's not in pain anymore, and I wish very much that I could have been at her funeral this afternoon.
On a less personal note, the New Orleans disaster seems to be on all our minds today. Of all the articles I've read, this one brought it home to me best. (I also really like Molly Ivins's essay on how this is a great example of why government matters.) If you can, please donate money to the Red Cross for relief. I'm going to do so when I get paid tomorrow.