Gratitude 10.14.2010
Today I am grateful for good news. In particular, I am grateful for the good news of 33 miners who have finally been brought back to the surface of the earth and reunited with their loved ones. I was tearful with joy several times yesterday as I checked in with the progress of the rescue throughout the day yesterday.
In April of 2007, I remember the coverage of the Virginia Tech tragedy. I watched as the the number of lives lost kept rising. I prayed that the phone call from our medic friend who was at the scene was mistaken when he told us that the number of lives lost was 33 (at the time only the public knew of only 8 deaths). However, he was right and the numbers didn’t stop until that total reached 33. Three years later, I found myself captivated by live coverage once again. This time, however, I was praying that the number would continue to rise and not stop until it reached 33. As I watched the miners emerge from the Phoenix Capsule (I love how symbolic that name is) one-by-one, I couldn’t help but see it as a rebirth. The cheers of, “I see him! He’s coming! He’s here!” are the same words of excitement that you hear in the delivery room. I was filled with comfort and peace as these men, so full of life and gratitude for everyone around them, were emerged from the rubble and were reunited with their families. While I know that the 33 lives from Virginia Tech will never ever be replaced, I felt that these 33 miners (and the thousands of rescue and support personal that made yesterday such a success) was an inspiring example that humanity is capable of cultivating peace.
It has been so refreshing to be glued to the media for good news instead of paralyzed in front of the TV by the fear and sadness of bad news. Yesterday people from all over the world shared in the victory dance of 33 miners. Events like yesterday remind us that we can come together and do great things in this world, and for that I am truly grateful.
PS. Since I have been taken back by the symbolism of this great triumph… The majority of the rescue took place on 10-13-10 which adds up to 33!
The video below is a montage of the footage of the rescue mission from CNN. It’s a bit long, but totally worth it. You may want to grab a tissue.
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I’ve often wondered, not that I have any journalistic training whatsoever, what if I could run a news station that focused on and aired only the good news from Planet Earth? Would people watch? Could I get enough advertising to pay the bills? Is there even enough good news to run the station 24/7/365??? I, too, couldn’t get enough of the coverage of such a joyful event. Wonderful to see such greatness come from other parts of the world. Makes us realize how much more we’re alike than different but begs the question…why does it take such drama to bring out the best of human nature?
I’ve wondered about a good news station too!!!!
Wow, I didn’t realize that similarity until you pointed it out! What an odd coincidence. It’s sad that the 33 people at VT lost their lives, but it’s a relief that the 33 miners were rescued safely.