Revisiting that part of their lives has always been an option, but now–I don’t know. Has that door closed forever? I haven’t been to Germany in more than a decade, but if the town I grew up in were destroyed, I’d feel as if my childhood had been amputated. My grief would be profound, and my thoughts are with you all.

Thank you for this. I have done development work in Haiti and have a sponsored child there. I share your feelings about the resilience of Haitains; their amazing vibrance and even joy in the face of such incredible challenges. It makes me so angry when the media – yet again! – moan and groan about Haiti being a “basketcase” country continually mired in despair. It simple isn’t true. They have had more than their share of misery; they are the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere – all that is true. But they don’t give up. I have watched a graduation class of rural health workers in a small Haitian town. They were so proud; so ready to go out into their communities with their little plastic cases full of – bandages, gauze, a pair of scissors, a bottle of aspirin and disinfectant – that’s ALL. I have spoken with an 18 year old who walked 25 miles out of the mountains to receive a goat – which would provide milk and cheese to her entire village – and allow her to go back to school.

It will take a long time, but Haiti will come back. And now – they need all the help they can get. As Deb says, please – give to your favorite charity. May I add Save the Children to that list? They have been on the ground in Haiti for twenty-five years and are gearing up as we speak.

Sorry for being so long-winded. Thank you, Jill Johnson