A Tale About Katrina and Compassion (the lack of it)
Here is a story I picked up about one the survivors from Hurricane Katrina disaster. A truly sad tale … a tale that is made more sad by the response I got after relating it to others. ______________________________________________________________
Daniel Weber, a 53-year-old New Orleans evacuee was relaying his heart-wrenching tale. And Manning, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback drank in every syllable of the horror.
"I thought it was an explosion, but it was the water blowing the doors off the hinges," said Weber, who lived almost directly behind the Industrial Canal levee breach that inundated his neighborhood Monday morning as Hurricane Katrina battered the city. Weber’s wife of 23 years, Rosetta Marrero, 44, wheelchair-bound because of several strokes, was in the couple’s bedroom, and Weber said he struggled to get to her for a move into the home’s attic.
When that failed, he said, he broke out a window so that he could attempt to push his wife through the water onto the roof. "I was pushing her up," Weber told Manning, "and it got real quiet. I said, ’What’s wrong, baby?’ She said, ’I’m saying my prayers.’ I got real scared. "That’s when I grabbed her by her shirt. But the water took her away. I jumped in after her but couldn’t find her. I know she’s probably dead.
I wanted to die right then. I wanted to see God, stand there and tell him, ’Look what you did to me?’ If I could die tomorrow, I’d get right in his face and ask him ’What did you do?’ "She wanted to go to the Superdome. I thought I’d be the one to go first. I thought I’d never be without her. I never thought about life without her. I was supposed to take care of her. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry."Manning placed his hand on Weber’s shoulder.
Weber had survived 14 hours floating in the water, clinging to debris, before a rescue boat ferried him to dry ground. He was transported to the Red Cross shelter, where he met up with about 10 other family members.
"We’re praying for you," Manning told him. "Hang in there."
"Thank you," Weber told Manning, adding, "How’s your Dad doing?"
"There’s nothing I can say," Manning said. "He said he laid in the water for 14 hours and said he was ready to give up. I’m glad he didn’t give up. He obviously needs to talk. He says all that, and then he sits down and says, ’How’s your Dad doing?’ I didn’t know what to say to that."
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A personal note:
You know what the sad thing about all this is? Well, I related this to a friend of mine … he’s reaction was truly disheartening. He said,"Wah, you care so much about other country more than Singapore" … True, the words are few and may seem so insignificant … at most inappropriate … but delving deeper … sigh
Here is a man who lost his love of his life, found strength to survive 14 hours in water and still manage to think about others and ask "How’s your Dad doing?"
And all you can say is "Wah, you care so much about other country more than Singapore"
This isn’t about countries, its about people …. we all share a common bond in that we are human … if we do not care for others than what does that make us … I can’t believe that he bears no compassion for others; that it does not move him.
And this is a friend whom I have learnt much about other religions and from whom I’ve learnt to appreciate the simplicity and compassion that those teachings impart, in showing one how to walk the good path. Yet, I’m hearing such words from him … sigh … I guess being human is the only reason … we are all fallible. For someone, whom I had thought was so staunch in their beliefs and ideals … it makes me wonder.
And yet, I’m not surprised. It is always the same … someone extolls his\her ideals… shout out loud about what is right and what is wrong … steadfastly proclaim that he\she will never do this or that … that honour is his\her word….
What a freaking joke.
Talk is cheap as the cliche says. Life in Singapore is so comfortable to the point that I am embarrassed. The only thing people know how to do is complain and yet, when it is time to do something about it, we come up with excuses and slide away into the shadows of bewildered ignorance.
Where is the compassion? Heck .. where is your humanity?
Nobody is asking anyone to save the world. Understandably, it is a choice that we all make and we alone chart our own destiny. So don’t save anyone or do anything if you don’t want to … but then again, don’t profess to being human and all the goodness that comes with it … cos you have not earned it.
September 13th, 2005 at 3:39 am
The common curse of mankind, - folly and ignorance. Your love’s more richer than his tongue.