Finding a balance

Is a challenge as I prepare to go on this trip. On the one hand there is this horrendeous tragedy. On the other hand there's the need as I mentioned previously, to go into this experience with my optimism and humor intact because I think they are going to be saving graces.

For instance in the humor dep't recently? Gotta see the amusement in finding myself getting stupidly excited the other day over finding small little dissolving sheets of shampoo and conditioner packed into little 2x3 plastic containers, because it frees me up to carry on mosquito repellent on the plane. It's the little things. And that's funny? Which is good.

But then I can go to instant non-funny? By letting my mind remember I've been told if I could bring some tarps with me, they'd mean the world to people in Jacmel ... it's what they live under. And that's so ... not funny.

Like I said, finding a balance.

Educating myself the last few weeks has been a journey in itself. There are layers of history, circumstances, and events; perspectives, past and present to work through for me. Haiti's story is a long and complicated one and I would be naive and indeed disrespectful to think I could write anything about the country or its people much less go there, without having some prior background knowledge - naive indeed also, to think I can understand it all in a few weeks.

But I am doing what I can - I read books; utilize the vast resources of the internet. I have watched countless videos; read other blogs. Hours spent, and I know I haven't even touched the surface, but a foundation is being built, one that is beginning to give me an educated place from which to interpret the experiences I am about to have. One that is creating an enormous respect in me for the spirit of the Haitian people. One that is also painfully showing me - how bad it really is.

So that said, I also have these two main people now helping me prepare for this  - Reg Auguste and Judy Hoffman - in their individual ways telling me not to lose my optimism and sense of humor. My conversations with them are in themselves balanced with advice grounded in a serious, horrific reality, but also laced with a great deal of humor and hope. They are I know preparing me to see the sad - but equally telling me to also make sure I see the uplifting and the beautiful.

Speaking of which - I offer this picture from the Art Creation Foundation for Children Foundation site. Is her face - her pride in what she's created - not uplifting ... beautiful ... and hopeful?

  
    

The journey picture continues to unfold ...

I spent over an hour last night talking on the phone with Judy Hoffman, the founder of the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel. How we got introduced to each other is yet another synergistic puzzle piece to this story. My oldest son works for Dharma Trading in San Rafael, California - a large textile craft supplier in business for 40 years. Judy ended up on the phone with my son; mentioned they were discussing an order for her "kids in Haiti" ... and you can guess what happened after that.

The ACCFC website is full of information on the organization; its history, staff and supporters and of course the children. I again urge you to check it out.

It turns out that Judy - who lives in Florida - will be in Jacmel the same week of my visit.

Reg has kindly said we should be able to fly to Jacmel (a 15 minute flight in his Cessna 172) so that we can meet Judy and her kids. There is some hopeful expectation that at least a few of the children might get a chance to see an airplane up close for the very first time, and I've been kindly invited to spend a night there if possible. We shall see how schedules and timing and situations develop. Being able to go to Jacmel to meet Judy at all, seems fated ... and an important part of this journey.

She told me stories about the heart and dignity of the Haitian people she has come to know over the years, their spirit still strong in spite of the horrendeous present situation. In fairness - from what I've read and heard - she spoke to a heart and dignity maintained for a long, long time now against seemingly unending adversity and hardship. She spoke poignantly of the hope for a better future held in the children. It will be a privilege to meet her, and them.

Reg and Judy both have now made reference to the fact that once I meet the Haitian people and experience the country, I will never be quite the same again....

Brief Synopsis of the Cast of Characters thusfar ...

"Reg" is Reg Auguste, the pilot I met through the Cessna Pilots Society who started this journey for me by agreeing to let me write his story and the story of his country and people. A man who graciously and kindly has agreed to be my host on this trip.

Judy Hoffman is the founder of the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel, Haiti. I will be talking with Judy soon. There is a good story regarding how we met in such a timely fashion; as promised I'll come back soon offering more details on the wondeful organization she and other caring people have created for some of the children in Haiti. I know she wouldn't argue with me if I said she wishes they could somehow wrap every child in Haiti that was in need, in their caring and supportive blanket right now. I know she would also agree however, that this is a situation where all anyone can do ... is all that they can do, whatever that might be - however seemingly small. I urge you to check out their link to the right.

Leap of Faith Confirmed and Booked

I finally spoke with Reg again this afternoon. I think he's as crazy as I am. But then I'd have to follow that statement up with one saying I guess I'm in excellent company, and wouldn't want him - or myself - to be any other way. I haven't met him in person and I know little (yet) about his own personal story - but just from two 40 minute phone conversations, I already admire the heck out of the man.

I promised Reg in return for his kindness, generosity and support, I will come to his country with an open mind and heart and do my best to tell its truth when I come home via my tappy fingers. Haiti and its people sadly haven't always had the truth told about them - or about what has been done to them.

I go to Haiti with full respect and empathy for the situation and for the tragic circumstances I'll be walking into. But I also begin this adventure with my sense of humor and optimism intact. I plan to keep that going for me - best medicine ever in my opinion.

I may sometimes merely post random bits and pieces here depending on time. But I will aspire to keep a journal of how this all progresses, however that may end up presenting itself. And I promise to be nothing less than honest, even if that might get weird and a little messy at times.

Flights are booked, and I leave for Miami Wednesday March 3 and return on Thursday March 11.

Reg said there will be a washer and dryer (pack light) and bottled water available. Under the circumstances and considering what others are dealing with right now - all I've read about conditions? That sounds heavenly and I'm already grateful for little things (I don't doubt that although I write that now with an underlying levity, it's going to take on a completely different meaning for me a week and a half from now.)

When there's time, please check out: Art Creation Foundation for Children  This foundation located in Jacmel, Haiti, along with its founder Judy Hoffman, are also evidently meant to play an important part in this unfolding story. They were my latest "angel sign" as Paul Farmer says. I promise to tell more about them later........

The Beginning ...

Those of you who know me, know why I started this blog. For those of you who do not, it will soon be clear as you read my entries.

Since I sent out my initial e-mail on Thursday, I have been touched by and grateful for the responses to it.


The phrase "you go girl!" will echo in my head frequently now as a supportive mantra!

Note: I just did a huge edit on this post, and decided to end it as I did above - sums up the beginning of all this pretty accurately.

A journey such as this isn't embarked upon without a great deal of self-reflection. As a writer - I decided this is going to ask me to find value in brevity; until I start writing the book. My passion for things in life shows up in my writing sometimes as excess. To be effective here, I need to curb that tendancy.

Since I'm fond of quotes (ironically because they tend to sum things up so nicely in few words!), let me offer this one as what will hopefully be my guide through all this. Don't know who to credit for it unfortunately:

"As a beautiful flower that is full of hue but lacks fragrance, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practice it."

Time to go practice my words....