Kabrit ak Siklòn

Kabrit (goat)

Last weekend the sister I live with who is the director of formation went to visit a few of the family homes of young women who will soon enter the Sisters of Holy Cross as postulants.  Some of them live in small towns and rural places in or near the mountains.  When she arrived at their homes they gave her gifts including fruits and vegetables,  mangos and plantains for example,  as well as a turkey and a goat.   We enjoyed the fresh fruits and vegetables.  Someday the goat and turkey will be consumed, too; until then, we'll enjoy their presence in our yard.     

  Siklòn (hurricane)

For the third time in recent weeks, a Hurricane has passed to the north of Haiti, doing little (or none at all in the case of Jose) damage to Haiti.  Maria stayed far enough away that we were never officially placed in a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch or Warning Zone according to the maps on the National Hurricane Center website.  It did come close enough to bring significant amounts rain yesterday and during the night.  I believe that this is the reason that schools are closed today, (although maybe they are closed because of political protests and problems in Port-au-Prince.)  It is a great relief that Maria only passed by and waved to us rather than coming in for a visit.  I am praying for all those in nearby countries who were not so fortunate as well as those in Mexico who experienced the recent earthquake.

Earlier in the week when the path of Maria was not yet clear, I listened to an online weather report from a major American television news channel.  The meteorologist spoke of a meteorological reality, which I had also heard mentioned by other weather reporters a few weeks ago when we were anticipating Hurricane Irma.  If the hurricane crosses the island of Hispaniola because the island is very mountainous, it can significantly weaken the storm system.  While I don't doubt the truth of what he said and don't believe that he intended to be insensitive, the way it was said did not sit right with me.  That is what inspired this:     

  

Dear Mr. Meterologist, 

No doubt that your statement is scientific certitude, but,

Please remember that people live on that island and in those mountains,

People who have hopes and dreams, families and friends, talents and trials as you do,

but many may lack insurance, safe storm shelters, stable foundations and well-built roofs, (which I assume you do not.)  

It is a  place where mothers tie pretty ribbons in their little girls' hair before sending them to school,

A place where there are bridgeless rivers that storms significantly swell,

Rivers, often crossed by children going to school and merchants to market,  and sometimes even the sick seeking a hospital,  

In those very mountains,  many gardens are grown, not as hobby or summer supplement, but for subsistence and survival. 

Some of those mountains lack trees, so easily the mud can slide abducting all in its path: banana trees, bean plants, cows, houses, and people  (somebody's mother, father, child, sister, brother, friend or lover....) 

Many may not worry about loss of electricity or running water, (never mind internet and air conditioning)  for a storm will not take what one has never had; 

It is lives and livelihoods that could so easily be lost,

lives of equal value to your own and to those you love, at least in the eyes of God (in society's eyes, well, I am not so certain.)    

Please remember, Mr. Meterologist, 

You are speaking not simply of a speed bump for storms, 

but of a place both beautiful and vulnerable, 

 a place some call HOME.

Have a good week.  Many blessings!