I did actually watch Scrum v , for a reappraisal of Saturdays fiasco. Always enjoy Sean Holley's technical analysis, but otherwise don't know why I bothered.
Later in the evening I watched the BBC Ten O'clock news, and the realisation, of why the hell was I depressed about the outcome of a rugby match.
Its been a week now, since the horror of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The pictures I saw tonight and what we have seen this week, reduced me to tears .
I have for some time supported the British Red cross , with a small monthly donation, which I increase at times of crisis like Ukraine. They do so much good work , both at home and abroad. My wife and I will always be indebted to the help they gave to our friend Dennis, a vulnerable man, living on his own, without which, he may have perished.
As a supporter, Red Cross provide me with fairly regular updates of their programmes of aid and relief. I don't ask for these , but the circular is quite informative, but also very moving.
Prior to the earthquake the situation Syria, was desperate for many people. Before the war, places like Aleppo, Homs, Idlib, were thriving communities. These have now been reduced to rubble by the regime . People here have been enduring enormous hardship, at the harshest, coldest time of the year. Now, for those in northern Syria, we have the earthquake, and the untold misery that it has manifested itself upon a community, already suffering The other issues here, has been the difficulty getting aid in, because of the unstable political situation
We see in Turkey, whole communities destroyed, families wiped out, neighbourhoods, changed for ever. I cannot remember seeing such devastation.
Occasionally there is an incredibly uplifting moment, when someone is dug out of the wreckage that was once their home, or a child's life is saved. I am struggling to put in to words here, the emotion of it all. Its gut wrenching ! It does one thing , it makes you value and cherish the ones you love...totally
It also has ,temporarily created a clear sense of PERSPECTIVE, of what are, and who we are. Even though we are wrecking this beautiful planet, a sense of sheer humanity , at time like this overrides everything. As I get older I think being kind is the best thing anyone can be. We are all caught up, naturally, in our own worlds, our own worries, but there is always someone worse off than yourself and helping anyone in difficulty, is something to be proud of !!
I am sure many of you on SF have already contributed to the disaster appeal, at this difficult financial time for many in UK, but the generosity of people has been heart-warming Red cross will get additional donations from me , as I have learned that even a small contribution, makes a difference. There is also gratitude, for the many volunteers, and the work of ALL the organisations involved in important, huge operation, in the most difficult of circumstances.
These are sad and difficult times, but I hope the international community will rally round and support communities rebuild . Turkey and Syria, cannot do it alone.
------------- I stood yer on tanner bank
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