Me & Haiti

I sit here in the peaceful silence; just a few clocks ticking and a few vehicles driving by on the streets below. It is strange sitting here like this, knowing the disaster that has fallen upon Haiti. Thousands are dead, and thousands injured. I have seen coverage of it on the news, and it has moved me, but I did not really grasp the intensity of it until I thought of how the same tragedy would look here. It has been said that the death toll (50,000 as of 12 hours ago) could reach 200,000. That is more than the population of Abbotsford. I cannot imagine that this place where I have spent the majority of my life could cease to exist in a matter of 30 seconds. I cannot imagine the cries of pain coming out from underneath piles of debris. I cannot imagine being caught under that debris, crying out, not knowing if anyone will be able to get me out. I cannot imagine losing my family and friends just like that. I cannot imagine the cries of agony and terror of parents who have lost their children. I see bits and pieces of people's reactions on tv, but there would be nothing like living through it myself. My heart aches for the people of Haiti, and for people who had/have loved ones in Haiti. I cannot bring myself to turn on the tv, to see the devastation. It would be too overwhelming right now. Instead, I sit here, wondering what I can do to be involved in a hands-on environment. There must be something...