Friday, January 15, 2010

Dr. King's Birthday ...we are still hurting.

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Born on January 15, 1929 he is 81 years old. Sadly, this day is no longer celebrated by the masses. As a national holiday in America, we recognized his birthday this coming Monday. For better or worse, like Presidents Day, & Labor day, MLK JR Day has become just another three day weekend, but wait.

On his birthday, today in 2010, we are awaken by the total destruction of the country of Haiti. Just three days after a 7.0 earthquake rocked the heavily populated capital of Port au Prince. Hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead, and millions of people are homeless, without power, water, food, shelter. Sleeping side by side with neighbors, friends, & enemies, in open spaces as they can't return to homes deemed unstable due to the numerous aftershocks. Many homes in the capital city and surrounding areas, including the Presidential Estate were fattened. Simply reduced to rumble by the force of this quake. The dead lie in the street. What is left of morgues and hospitals, are outdoor triage centers and overflowing. Aid has yet to arrive to all. As relief on the ground or en-route. There's a bottle neck at the airport and ports. I've been riveted to news networks CNN and MSNBC. The images are surreal and something I can't ever remember seeing in my lifetime.

So, on this King's Birthday, I'm reminded of how fragile we all are as humans, but how strong, resilient and of faith we are. My love, heart, prayers, thoughts, time and money go to the people of Haiti, and to many of my Haitian family and friends living here in the US and around the world. May we all find comfort in knowing somewhere in this universe there is peace for all of us, past and present.

We are all hurting on this day Dr. King. however your legacy, vision, determination continues enlighten and uplifted a nation of people. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday!