Remembering Families, Giving, and How To Help

Wow, does reality have a way of slapping you right in the face and waking you up. I have been in tears for days, every time I turn on the television set and I see what is going on in Haiti. I thought it was just the mass sadness of what I was seeing on the television, but no, for my family it woke up so much more than that. My family has been walking around in somewhat of a daze, almost afraid to look at the visuals being played out on the television in front of us. I can't stop watching though, because of a dear friend I know is also watching and his heart is breaking because he is traveling back in time, to a place he does not want to be either. I lost his number when we moved, when my cell phone broke, and I searched like crazy on the net to find the old articles, and I finally found one or two that specifically spoke to these sweet Chicago people that know exactly how these poor people in Haiti feel right now.

I was able to call this old friend today, and tell him how much I missed him, his family, but more than anything, that I am praying for him too! I know how just seeing this on television has awoken those dreadful nightmares of the day he got the call to turn on the TV right after Christmas, only to be told that besides his wife Zahra, his 11 year old daughter Sima Bambouyani had perished in the Earthquake that rocked Bam, Iran on December 26th, 2003, along with so many other members of his immediate family and extended family that they all had intended to visit over the Christmas holiday.

His 11 year old daughter, Sima, who played in my home, and my daughter Hayley who spent so much time over at this family's home being welcomed, loved, and just hanging out with her buddy the "Chicago Karate-Kid", it was true heart-break; for she was going to travel to see where her family came from for the first time, and she was excited about this trip. I knew in my heart that just seeing what is going on in Haiti, must be the most painful re-awakening of memories for this man who lost most of his family that day. It was nice to hear his voice. Nice to know that his doing all he can to move forward and carry the torch to hold up their names, their memories, the meaning that their lives gave to the City of Chicago overall. I look forward to working with him well into the future to continue to try and raise some money in Sima's name for Karate, which she adored and was so talented, to help other children while at the same time raising Earthquake awareness, and continued benefits for a shared love for Children's Memorial Hospital which was so dear to Zahra and our late son, in the future.

Wow, can you even imagine losing almost all of your entire family to an Earthquake? I can't, not at all. I have been touched by the loss of a child, and that alone is a loss I wouldn't wish on anyone. Last night I sat my family down and we all spoke about Haiti. I reminded everyone of the service we attended for Sima and her Mother and the rest of the family. I pulled up my old copy of the Pioneer Press Article written by Amy Le on February 17, 2005 that spoke of the Interfaith Memorial Service that was held to honor, remember and raise money in memory of Sima and her wonderful mother, to which her husband stated to the reporter one of my fondest memories of this dear woman, "Zahra spent her life giving to others, always helping to raise money for the Children's Memorial Hospital. So it only makes sense that this foundation will continue her legacy," Bambouyani said."

So, what do you do? How do you help? When you see the images of horror and mass destruction in front you? I know that was the first question we all, as family asked..what exactly can we do, besides pray? Then I looked down at that little luxury in my life. I had watched the Colbert report the other night and he was talking about it. Then I was watching Mike Huckabee and he was talking about it. It seems lately every time I turn on a program they are talking about it. Could I live without a cell phone? I feel like I need it for my writing, but I even asked my kids this. Could you check in every 30 minutes to an hour like we used to do, and do we realize that these are more of luxuries than needs? (and my kids, we all, have the cheap plan, that comes with that free no bells and whistles phone, unless they want to go out and get a job and upgrade themselves, but they can text to whoever they want. Regardless, still on many levels, a luxury more than a need when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, just looking at the Haitian needs.)

So, I called my cell phone company because I have all premium texting blocked, (Verizon does that for free so my kids can't run the bill through the roof). In tears, I explained to them that I was going to be calling twice, and I wasn't playing games with turning off a feature just to turn around and turn it right back on. I also said if this is one of those record a calls, start recording! I felt guilty that all I could afford to do was attach $10.00 to my cell phone bill, but I told my cell phone company, if my bill was a little less I would be able to give a little more. I then made the comment that I sure hope THEY are making up for that by DONATING to this cause as well, for if we cell phone users can give to the RED CROSS BY TEXTING THE WORD HAITI to 90999, (this will send $10 (USD) to the Red Cross for direct Disaster Aid Relief for Haiti and is the official giving non-scam way to text-give), I sure hope our carriers are doing their parts and AT LEAST MATCHING on some level, what we customers give..(considering the size of our consumer bills.) Just a humanitarian thought..Cell Phone Providers..let me know if you do, and I will start singing your praises from the rooftops!

But yes, as a family we all knew that not one more day could go by with us using our cell phone service, and seeing what was going on in Haiti, while we knew first hand people who have been personally touched by this kind of devastation. Friends of our family. They need help in Haiti, lots of help and will continue to need help for a very long time. Whatever you have to give, please give it. Even if it is a few minutes of your good thoughts and prayers, or $10 bucks. Please consider giving.

Sometimes giving the smallest things can change the world.

For more information on how to Help Haiti visit http://www.redcross.org

For more information on the Bambouyani family visit http://www.itka-karate.com/