Human Spirit in Oklahoma

Lethal force

As if we needed a reminder of mother nature's awesome power, she decided we needed a jolt anyway by letting loose one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded through Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City in America. At time of writing, 91 people have died, including many children. To touch on the dramatic, like a Great White shark sent by God Himself, it destroyed everything unfortunate enough to stand in its path.
Humans throughout the ages have been the architects and authors of some wonderful inventions and words of wisdom, however we are truly puny when struck against the infinite might of nature. Mortality has its (frail) limits. Luckily for us, we are strong in spirit and Dai Jakes is certain that with the help of the generous and kind, the good people of Moore, Oklahoma will be shown a helping hand in rebuilding lives and homes. Nothing will bring back those who perished of course, and they will be in everyones thoughts and prayers.
I like to think there is a lesson in every tragedy though and the photograph below sums up both the devastation and the humble reality of what occurred in Oklahoma last night. Written on that sign found among the rubble are the words: the most important things in life are not things. Food for thought indeed.


A sign of hope?

Pages of Destruction

The world awoke today to terrible news of an 8.9 earthquake hitting Japan which set off a massive tsunami, killing hundreds and causing diabolical damage. As I wayched the footage from numerous media sources, it seemed a disaster of almost biblical proportions.
There are floods and fires, the shutting down of airports and transportt systems. I heard somewhere that up to 300 bodies have been disccovered on a beach in Sendai, on the northeast Pacific coast with another 100 confirmed dead elsewhere.


Grim scenes of destruction

Obviously its still way too early to know the exact figures, as rescue services from all across the world have only just been deployed but as I watched the video footage of giant whirlpools and mega waves sweeping cars and building away like they were childrens toys, it brought home the understanding of how easily mother nature could destroy us all if she so wished. For instance the tidal waves have even reached the U.S shores of Oregon! Mankind is at her utter mercy and there wouldn't be a damned thing we could do if she decided to crush us all in one foul swoop.
It also makes one realise how little a grasp we mere mortals have on the bigger picture when you watch disasters played out in the movies. The film versions seem almost childish when compared to the real thing.
Looking through the online pages of destruction made me feel even more vulnerable, even more fragile. And all I can think of is those poor people, thousands of lives instantly shattered. So so awful and tragic and my heart goes out to each and every one affected by this disaster.