Helping and Healing for Hurricane Dorian Victims...in the Bahamas and as may result

While the weather has been ideal for a Labor Day Weekend with summer fairs and outings in much of the USA, the fear of Hurricane Dorian has become a reality for those in the Bahamas. I got a newsletter on the email from Mercy Corps, a longterm medical outreach, for an Emergency Donation for Humanitarian Aid. Look up their site, the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders (I met one of their outreach folks by Grand Central last week in NYC.) There are ongoing needs in some places, but these natural disasters garner our attention. Hopefully everyone who has been directed to evacuate can and will do so promptly. I'm sure it's not easy and no one envies hearing 'one must leave their home and belongings and get out of dodge' or take precautions by doing so or if permissible, hunkering down and preparing to 'battle the elements' (or not be battled too harshly by them.) 

With the general sense of finding the 'slatch' (the quiet in the midst of the storms and chaos, a new term I learned that has been used in nautical terms for a while and was shared by Rev. Betsy Mauro at the Norfolk Congregational Church (yes, there's a way tot say it such that it sounds like Nor-Fork..and a hat from there with the letters NOR then a fork tip logo to explore that pronunciation...) But sometimes there is a Fork in the Road (where the road parts into two separate paths...) and in the case of near the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Route 199 out of Pine Plains and so forth, over the Hudson River, there actually is a huge sculpture of a fork at the fork in the road. Maybe it helps to take puns to new levels and remind us decision making can be profound but can also benefit from looking at all angles (and calling all angels) as one is facing decisions. As I am typing this out on my keyboard, I hear thunder so likely my afterdinner walk will be postponed. I do have a stationary bike that may be of use to help with the ol' blood sugars.

Now back to helping the Hurricane challenged people. Let's pull together and consider who needs help in our circles and find ways to encourage one another to pitch in with local and state efforts, as well as wider ones. We likely could have taken up donations at the Goshen Fair, but people were mainly set on getting their food and drink (lots of beer) and seeing the events, both two-legged (human) and four-legged (cows, horses, llamas, pigs and rabbits primarily) as well as poultry--chickens, roosters and ducks.

That said I did see a lot of nice folks at the Goshen Fair in CT on Sunday, September 1st, 2018. There's a fellow named Carey running against Mr. Valentine whose been first selectman (which is a bit like being mayor one Brooklynite inquirer was told) for 14 years. Some of his ideas are to revamp the important 4-way rotary to make sure the cross walks and design are compliant with all federal and ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) terms, which he shared he did not feel was the case. Overall there are a number of issues he feels he could address effectively and with transparency and accountability in efficient, important ways. If I were in Goshen CT I'd do my homework and look to put him in office likely on Novemeber 5th, 2019. Good luck to all running to improve situations that need it and there are many that do. The town's budget is about $3M to give readers an idea of that town's economy. 

I would like to list a lot more about the positive situations and people I met. I plan to look up ButlerOut.com which speaks to school groups about healthy eating. That topic came up with another who said 'people don't eat real food and in the cities there is not much to be found readily.' I added that there are 'food desserts' in long stretches of the city which I learned from another talk. There will be an exciting Goshen Business Circle (something along those lines) to learn more about to help people connect regarding business and improving Goshen. 

I saw other friends who have loved ones recently departed. I was wearing my light and dark bule tie die 'starburst design' tee shirt that reads "Feel Love From Above" on the back. I shared with some friends, old and new, about our late teen son Kaelan Alexander Palmer Paton, who I've written about and have a FB page in memory of as well, started by his friends a decade ago when he passed when trying to save his friends from dangerous water.

I 'happened' to park near some dudes playing music in the parking lot. I had a chance to tell the three young fellows about Kaelan's courage and final good deeds before I even went in the fair. It was a moment that I think we will all remember on our journeys..and who knows may be in touch another time. I hope so.

Meanwhile, sadly they could relate to the kinds of danger and difficulty their generation has faced (whether recklessness, drugs, suicide of friends...just a lot of not good stuff, not to mention those who may have serious medical issues, cancer and such. We just said 'yeah life's tough' with a few things mentioned...but likely more of our society could use some online if not drop-in centers to get real about those tough topics even paying for basics and other relationship issues, right?)

One had even saved his friend's life (who was also there with a third lifelong buddy) when the youth had hit his head on a rock after a mistimed fall from a rope swing.

  Thankfully the CPR worked, which unfortunately really doesn't do the job in many cases. So it was  a win-win and I'm sure the families all feel a bit blessed. I asked them to help spread the word about Kaelan's heroism, getting two of his friends out while still on shore, but the high risk that likely was 'too much' really to pull off successfully getting to the third in very dangerous water. We all could use reviews about 'outdoor recreation' (as the FFA, Future Farmers of America promote as do Scouts and American Red Cross programs.) Knowing and following directions is not a given, so plenty for all of us to learn.

Even facing challenging weather merits a lot of consideration, but again 'who has time?" Doesn't hurt to see a few videos online and make some basic checklists to keep track of one another and have some flashlights and clean water on hand, easy enough to store ahead. If you fill a tub or garbage pails, be sure to keep doors locked (in the bathroom with an outside hook and eye lock etc) if you have children in the house etc. 

We can take time right now to remember the loss of an 8 year old boy who I heard on the news passed in water when his family was fleeing the storm. For three days after a person departs, it can be helpful to their soul to have loved ones and perhaps others think of him in positive ways, rather than sad mourning which is understandable. We could all use a lot more coaching and support to be able to do this kind of intentional support for a person in our circles or community. Rudolf Steiner and possibly Edgar Cayce writings and online info would give more insight into the theory. I feel it doesn't hurt and can help other family and friends 'keep their cool' and stay grounded and connected in spiritual and meaningful ways. 

I will wrap this up for now but wanted to touch base and wish everyone a safe successful September to remember in good ways as well as with overcoming challenges, natural and otherwise that may arise...as they do for everyone in various ways (internally and socially, externally...) Let's keep the good teamwork going and growing as this 2020 US Presidential Election comes up as well. Much hinges on our leadership and we can't sit on the sidelines or not care.

By the way, Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal, and Representative Maria Horn were all at the Goshen Fair throughout the day on Sunday I heard. I did see Maria and appreciate her regular outreach on Facebook and emails. There's plenty to keep discussing to see more people feel represented and timely steps taken to 'get things that need doing done.' More online forums likely can spur advocacy and would find a lot of support that hopefully would inform the leaders.

Let's learn a bit as we can and join together to make meaningful strides many miles wide like a Positive Healing Force that has its way with providing hope and support to all the good people working together over generations to get to the truth of matters and find solid ground and plenty of slatch along the way!