Tuesday, March 11, 2014

                                                     
                                                                    For the Families of MH370



     You are angry; and you have a right to be. You are afraid; and you have a right to be. You are confused, lost, and physically ill; and you have a right to be. You have a right to any feelings you have at this time. From my little corner of the world, so far away, I too am afraid, confused, and scared. To say I understand your feelings is a lie, and you've been lied to enough. By enduring what you have over the past 5 days, you have more strength than I can ever hope to have. I admire you. I respect you. And I am angry with you. 
     Every hour or so, a "breaking" news report is released with some astonishing development, only to be refuted the next hour. Today we find out that the aircraft changed direction at last verbal contact but was visible on radar for another hour or so. Today we found that out yet the airline new about it days ago. And when I say "we" I really mean "we" as I fear you are discovering new information in the same manner as the rest of the world; via Internet or television. That is just so wrong. I wish I had a better vocabulary to describe just how wrong it is. 
     I read an article just now, which may or may not be correct, that said a few senior managers from the airline came to give you folks a briefing. Some threw water bottles and one man said "All Malaysians are liars." I immediately thought that's wrong. However, when I let it sink in for a moment I scolded myself for judging you people. How do I know I wouldn't do the same thing if someone I love was on that plane? Unless we are standing beside you, how do any of us know?
     Many of us all over the world are standing beside you in thought and spirit; some in prayer. Trying to make sense of what is happening must come second to letting you know that there is a sense of humanity in the world. Geographical boundaries do not matter. What matters is we are all individual persons who share the bond of humanness. Language, culture, nationality, religion, or skin color matter not. You, the families of those who boarded flight 370, are important. You matter. Your feelings matter. And when you are feeling confused and alone, remember that the humanity of the world stands beside you.

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