Thoughts on the earthquake

I just read James latest post and it inspired me to add a few lines. I have 105 nurses that I teach in 4 classes. They are lovely girls. I have grown so fond of them, motherly at times. In one of the classes today we talked about the recent earthquake. They were divided into 4 groups and were to talk about the phases of a disaster: mitigation (how to lessen the severity before or during), preparation, response, and recovery. They were to give examples of these things from what they knew about the earthquake. They did very well and expressed some ideas that I had not been aware of. The thing that really struck me, though, and brought tears to my eyes was when they talked about the government at the beginning offering support and telling them to "be calm". They talked about how everyone has done something to help, by giving blood or donating money, and even prayer. The students have offered money and donated blood. They told about people who's homes were not destroyed that were cooking for those who lost their homes "without even being asked". They mentioned that the government has asked for and allowed international help, is making a plan to care for all the orphaned children, has given a large amount of money, and plans to assist in rebuilding. They talked about how this has brought the people together in a unified action to help the survivors. They have seen unselfish love and caring for their fellow human beings and are feeling it themselves. It was beautiful to wittness. They are on their way to building a harmonious society.