by Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.Div., LMFT
My wife and I wanted to post something about the fires on Maui, one of which totally destroyed historic Lahaina, a favorite destination for us while we visit the island. We wanted to post something about it, but how can words express our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the fire? How can words soothe the anguish and trauma created by such an event? Will a blog bring back what was lost? Will it inspire hope? Can it possibly comprehend the depth of emotions wrought by such a horrific tragedy?
No…there are no words that can express the intensity of pain, the depth of trauma and the horrible loss these people must be experiencing. So, we as visitors to Maui on numerous occasions will:
- Donate to the different organizations on the ground helping those who live there.
- In the spirit of aloha, we will lift our voices to the heavens in the hopes that the forces of good will rally around the gods of peace, compassion and healing leading the survivors to rebuild their lives that all that is good will rise from the ashes and become a center of community, a salve that will heal the injuries wrought by the horrors of days past.
- We will do what we can to encourage governmental agencies to attend fully to the needs of Maui islanders that they may find food to sate their hunger, an infrastructure that allows them to go about their day, and safe harbor to protect them and their loved ones.
Our prayer is that the Banyon Tree will live and once again become the center of a thriving community.
- And we will stay away. We had planned a trip to Maui this coming April. We love to travel to Maui, but we will stay away. It is too soon. Homes need to be restored. Buildings need to be rebuilt. Lives need to heal. It is too soon, so we will stay away until the people of Maui can welcome us once again.
As we read and listen to these words, they grow hollow, the horrors of those flames burning away the depth of their meaning with the loss that so many have sustained. But in the hollow shells of these words, we hope you can hear sincerity as we pray for the restoration of your home, your community, your lives. Aloha.