A New Year Begins

 

It is difficult to believe that 2014 is here and that 2013 is history! The year went by so fast – have we really lived through four seasons already? I remember as a child hearing my parents and other adults comment on how quickly each year passes by.  Now I know what they were talking about.

 No doubt, 2013 will be remembered as a year of extreme weather and of breath-taking natural disasters. From the devastation of earthquakes in Pakistan and China to flooding, fires and heat waves through-out the world, record snowfalls, and to both an earthquake and Hurricane Haiyan in the Philippines, it seemed that each day brought more bad news. However as each new tragedy occurred, kindness and compassion grew and people reached out to help each other.

 

In the aftermath of each disaster, our television screens and internet showed people doing everything they could to help.  Whether it was people digging through rubble to rescue survivors, or people fighting fires or donating goods and money, we witnessed bravery and compassion and determination to survive.  As each tragedy hit the world this year, people in unaffected areas sent money, supplies, materials and workers – everyone wanted to help.  Thousands of people and dozens of countries sent their resources to help people in need.  This was a year of thinking less about ourselves and our needs, and thinking of how we could help our neighbors – those close by and those thousands of miles away. 

This year we witnessed the strength of the human spirit in the survivors of these calamities.  As well, we saw determination and unselfish heroism in those who worked to rescue others.  We also saw compassion and generosity in those who were far away, but still wanted to help. If anyone had any doubts of man’s survival instinct or the compassion humans have for each other, the events of 2013 surely erased those doubts.  Out of the ashes of bad events arose human compassion and resourcefulness.

I hope people continue to help each other long after the disasters have come and gone.  People who have lost their homes, their families and hope will continue to need the help of others.  Let us not forget to continue extend the hand of friendship and helpfulness to those who struggle to rebuild their lives after a natural disaster. 

Hopefully, 2014 will have fewer natural disasters, and the lives of those affected by the disasters of 2013 will return to normal. I hope this year will be good to you and your loved ones, and that when you look back on your year, it will be with filled with good memories. 

Looking forward to a brand new year . . . it’s a good thing!