I am overwhelmed with sadness and helplessness.

Bearing witness to such levels of human suffering stirs up all kinds of past, personal issues.

Panic at not being able to rescue those in need. Fear for their future. Sorrow at the catastrophic losses.

The sirens signal my "emergency switch" to kick my fight or flight reaction into high gear.

I find myself gasping for air at the knowledge that more people will most likely die.

I can't give blood due to my disorder but I made a donation to the Red Cross.

It hardly seems enough.

I turn off the television but it lingers on the screen, right behind the surface.

Petunia