As I type on my computer pondering what topic I should write about, a million thoughts are entering my mind. One thing’s for sure – I am certainly not in a writing mood right now. Actually, let me rephrase that – I am not in a mood for anything. Not after the hellish tragedy that all of us went through and witnessed last week.
Quite frankly, there’s really not much more I can say. All the words that can be said about the New York, Washington and Pittsburgh tragedies have been said on CNN, Fox News and every newspaper which have had this story for a week now – horrific, unthinkable, impossible, tragic – try again. Unfortunately, those words fall way short of the reality that came upon us that Tuesday night (Tuesday morning in the States).
My ultimate challenge: how to write something in a column entitled "It’s a Wonderful Life" after such an extremely tragic incident.
I’ve always had a positive outlook in life. While I may sometimes have fits of depression, pessimistic attacks and blue moments, in the overall, I think I’m a relatively jolly guy with a good disposition in life. While a lot of people seem to hate the world and constantly whine about their lives, I generally take things in stride and try to maintain an optimistic view despite hardships and difficulties. On Sept. 11, 2001, my whole disposition, my outlook in life, my very own personality was rocked to its very foundations. As I watched the World Trade Center towers crumble down, I somehow saw my own hopes, positive well-being, and "good-feeling-about-life" attitude crash down. It’s as if a big part of me died.
I don’t have any friend or relative who perished in the tragic incidents. The closest person to me who died in the incident is someone I don’t even know – a friend of my fiancé, Teemy who, at one point, relentlessly courted her when she lived in New York. Now normally, if Teemy talks to me about a guy who once courted her or dated her, I get really peeved deep inside and I just wanna wring the guy’s neck (although I try not to show it!). But this time, when she told me about the guy and that he died at the World Trade Center, I just embraced Teemy and felt depressed. Of course, foolish me, I tried to cheer her up by whispering to her, "See, if you ended up with that guy, you’d be a widow now...so count your blessings that you’re with me!" Somehow, that "joke" didn’t put a smile on her face – and I could understand why. These days, there’s nothing you can say to anyone that could bring out a smile. I miss the good old days – funny, the good old days were just a week-and-a-half ago.
Ok, going back to my dilemma – do I really still believe it’s a wonderful life?
Ok, I admit, for around 24 hours, I didn’t think so. I contemplated on changing my column’s title...hmmm...how about "It’s a Screwed Up Life"...or "It’s A Wonderful Life – Not!" or "It’s a Pathetic, Tragic Life And As Long As You’re Born Here In This World, You’re Condemned to Die Without You Having A Say On It." Oh, I had great new titles. I prayed... No, I discussed with God. At first I wanted to say, "How can You let something like this happen? It’s unfair!" then God, in his own mysterious way somehow told me... "Who said that life was all about getting what’s fair? Do you think I was treated fairly? Heck, I am God and look how I was treated when I was down there!" After an hour of contemplating, I looked at my keyboard and looked at my list of new titles...click...deleted!
While indeed what happened in the US is tragic, and indeed there’s reason to mourn (as we have been doing the past week) – there’s a lot of good things that have come about. For one thing, politics in the US has been set aside. It’s such a spectacle you know – there they were – the guys who have been slugging it out in US politics the past 20 years – Jimmy Carter, Bush Sr., Bob Dole, Bill Clinton, Al Gore and, of course, George W. Bush. Only Reagan was missing. It was nice seeing them together, united. The US Congress also set aside petty bickering on trivial issues and issued a unanimous bipartisan resolution to address the current situation. It was heartening to see the rescuers – some of whom gave up their lives – scampering and struggling through the debris, unmindful of the dangers on their own lives. And the outpouring of support is overwhelming – big-time companies donated millions of dollars, people donating blood, organizations spearheading campaigns for more support, family assistance centers, and the amazing demonstration of patriotism of Americans. The unprecedented unity is not only evident in the US but among the nations of the world who committed their support to the US in fighting terrorism.
Now, war has been declared. Under normal circumstances, I would be very concerned. But to be honest, I am very pleased with this development. War has been declared indeed. But it’s a war not against a particular country or religion. But a war against evil, against terrorism. And frankly, this declaration of war is long overdue.
Let’s hope this war against evil will continue on – and not end after just a few weeks or months. The 5,000 plus people who died in this tragedy – let not their deaths be in vain. Let’s continue to pray...and let’s get rid of evil in the world – no matter how big or small. Let’s not compromise with evil. If we continue this fight against evil – then maybe...maybe, yes, living in this world would not be horrible...maybe life here on earth could still be considered a wonderful life.