|
Different Shades
By Greg O'Brien, Harwinton
As we finish out the year 2001, we are taken back to moments that have been forever seared into our minds. Images of sadness and tears have been, quite literally, unequaled. But, through all the sadness and from the piles of ash came moments of kindness, love and heroism that seemed to be unlike any we'd ever seen before.
The ash seemed to act as an eraser, and from within the clouds of ash it was as though hatred, bigotry and racism disappeared, even for an instant. In fact, it became quite clear that it made no difference what color, what religion or what ethnicity we were. People of financial wealth and people with nothing at all clung to and guided each other to safety through the ashes. Some people even refused to leave another behind and, for that, they paid the ultimate price.
It is said that adversity builds character and strengthens resolve and, if that's true, together we've passed one of the greatest tests of our lifetime—a test that showed the entire world that bones can be broken, but spirits can never be dimmed. So, if you only give one thing this holiday season, please give your family, friends and neighbors even just one more glimpse of the person you were on the day the whole world came together.
We've often wondered why it is that the peace and joy of the holidays cannot remain with us throughout the year. Well, I'm here to tell you that without even trying, we've all proven that it can. So, please don't wait for another tragedy to show compassion and love, because it's clear that together we have and we can stand the tests of time.
It is amazing that it took mountains of ash to show us that after all we are all the same color; we're just different shades!
Happy holidays, and may God bless us all.
|
|
