A Dew On A Blade Of Grass

I'm still trying to take in the events that have happened in the past week in Asia. The Tsunami death toll of 116,000 is staggering and is still climbing. That's not counting the people who died or will die of the disease that breaks out because of the unsanitary conditions in the affected areas. I can only think of it as a modern-day "Black Death". Also called the Bubonic plague, its death toll was estimated to be over 23 million. It killed an average of 6,300 people per day as it swept from Asia into Europe in a span of a decade. The difference is, all this happened in a few hours.

I feel helpless as I watch the people in their heartbreak and loss. Their lives have been changed drastically in a moment, its effects remaining with them for a very long time. We, however, could go back to living the moment we switch off the television or step away from the computer.

It, along with my father's second death anniversary today, makes me think of my own mortality and of those whom I love. I read a quote about how life is like a morning dew perched on the tip of a blade of grass. It either falls off or dissipates in the heat of the morning sun. Indeed, life is short. We never know when our tsunami will come. And when it does, how much imprint did we leave in the hearts of the people we have encountered? How many of the things we did actually made a difference in our lives and of those around us? How many of the things we considered important really are, in the light of God and eternity?

Have a safe and happy New Year, everyone! This coming year, be kinder, hug tighter, love stronger and pray harder. Those are deeds we will never regret doing.