September 11th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Three tragedies that stick out in my mind this decade will be 9/11, the Tsunami of Indonesia and the devastating Hurricane Katrina. I had the opportunity to have a hand in helping consult and engineer some of the mechanical systems that were destroyed by the WTC wreckage in New York. With that, I felt it was kind of my way of giving back to community.
Right after Hurricane Katrina came along, I was called up by some companies and govemental agencies to see whether I would have liked to help rebuilt some of the city’s Automation systems and local industries in New Orleans. That would have meant spending an “unlimited” time there and to see the devastation at first hand. I was warned that there was a high likelihood that I would see a lot of unpleasant things like decomposed bodies etc. and that living conditions probably wouldn’t have been very good. I declined as 1) I just wouldn’t have been able to take the devastation and all that went with it and 2) I just couldn’t bear to leave my wife for a job that meant I was away from her for an unlimited period of time. Was I selfish to turn it down? To a certain extent I was, but I honestly didn’t want to have the vision of what I would have seen for the rest of my life and I don’t think it was worth it even though it had the potential to pay out a lot of money.
I mentioned the Indonesian Tsunami as well because I have relatives and friends around there i.e. in Thailand, Malaysia. So you can just imagine my first reaction when I heard the devastation there! … i.e. whether they were ok. Fortunately everyone is well.
I wanted to end this post by saying that life is a precious thing and we need to cherish it. I tend to forget about that sometimes complaining about pointless things when there are people REALLY suffering out there. We just don’t realise how lucky we are in comfortable homes, being able to do the things we like, going about everyday without problems in contrast to those without families, loved ones, food and shelter.
I am blessed, and I am thankful over all that is given to me - although sometimes I don’t show it and am envious by the materialistic things the rich and famous have.
6 Responses to “Life is a precious thing”
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INAMINI said: @ 7:21 pm
September 11th, 2006
All those tragedies make me think also. First of all, I’m glad your friends and relatives were safe. I agree with you about your decision not to see the devastation first-hand. Seeing that would most certainly follow you forever. I know the visions and experiences that my parents had during WWII shape their lives to this day. All the money in the world can’t change that.
I’m not sure if what I’m trying to say is coming through that well.
It’s a hell of an anniversary.
Angela said: @ 7:29 pm
September 11th, 2006
Life is precious. That about sums it up. The other day Jon said that if I died he would know how much I love him. It was the best thing he’s ever told me. My heart absolutely breaks for anyone who has suffered because of these tragedies. The lesson, I guess, is just to live it and appreciate all we have while we have it.
kristarella said: @ 10:03 pm
September 12th, 2006
It’s good to realise this every now and again. I think sometimes we get stuck in the little things because the big things are so emotive and often very simple. I’ve hardly struggled with a “big” decision because the answers are often clearer but what brand of pasta to buy, that decision takes me a while sometimes.
Good for you for turning down the job despite money and a sense of obligation, those things leave many people scarred and I don’t think it was very selfish. I think you not seeing those things protected yourself and your wife and the rest of your life. there is someone that can do that job, not everyone should.
shirazi said: @ 7:13 am
September 15th, 2006
Yes, life is a precious but aren’t there some things more precious than life?
Angela K said: @ 1:53 pm
September 15th, 2006
Love. Love is more precious than life.
The Foo said: @ 2:18 pm
September 15th, 2006
They almost go hand in hand. I think it is hard to judge one over the other - they are both equally precious. You need “life to learn to love” and you need “love to live life”. Also, you don’t realise how precious love is until you lose a life. Hope I made sense there.