It All Begins

When I was in grade school, I happened to be a fanatical reader of the mythology of ancient civilizations. Oddly enough for a small-private-Catholic school our library had a rather interesting selection of anthologies containing tales from the Norse, Egyptian, Greek and Roman traditions. Now as I prepare to travel to the Gulf Coast region, I am reminded of a favorite whose retelling in my own words will follow this sentence in brief detail.

Long ago in the age of legend, the curiosity of a certain young girl got the better of her and in the process wrought all manner of evil into existence. Upon opening a certain box that she'd been bidden to keep sealed, poor Pandora gave form to suffering, sickness, and despair... sorrows which were previously unknown in this world. Ironically her name means "all gifts" and while one may be tempted to give a sarcastic jeer in thanks for what she had done, do remember that she also gave us hope. In the form of a shinning jewel at the bottom of that box, hope sat waiting to be discovered. Whereas the ills that been sealed within were akin to vapors that quickly escaped and spread, hope was solid, tangible, and lay waiting to be found. Armed with that jewel, humanity has endured through the ages.

Starting on Friday the University of Dayton, School of Law will send out it's first Alternative Spring Break class. Thirty-one law students, with enthusiastic representation from all three class years, will travel down to the battered Gulf Coast region. The majority of us will be in New Orleans proper, where we'll be spread out across the city, but we'll also have individuals working in Baton Rouge. After months of hard and work and vigorous fundraising we've finally come to the easy part that is to say, the giving up of our Easter Break and sharing of our individual talents. During our week we are mindful that we represent UDSL, the ideals of the Marianist University of which we are all a part, our families, our hometowns, and most importantly hope.

This Blog represents the desire of four of the participants to share a kaleidoscope of viewpoints who'll be posting as time permits during the week we'll all be working. My colleagues and I will do our best to inform everyone reading about the present conditions in the city and surrounding area as well as share how we've been touched by the experience from our individual perspectives.In speaking for myself, I find my thoughts captivated by the following...

Given a choice we all would wish for a life untouched by tragedy, wouldn't we? Yet I challenge that assumption, because however desirable that may be what would then provide the catalyst for change? If all our needs were met, and our lives comfortable, how would any of us ever reach our fullest potential? I realize how easy it is for me to ponder such things, I mean, here I am preparing to depart a city that has been spared what befell New Orleans, a city I will return to once the week allotted for Spring Break has concluded. Those I will leave behind have no such option, and I know that whatever I am able to accomplish will not be enough. Here I am writing this post secure in the knowledge that my loved ones are safe. How can I presume to think that my empathy for the people I will help will be sincere? How can I possibly understand what they have gone through without having experienced some loss myself?

These questions lay in wait at the periphery of my mind, and it takes a great deal of effort to maintain that distance. Doubt is surest way to despair which itself is the great devourer of hope. The questions I've given voice to in the above paragraph raise interesting points, and how I come to terms with each one remains to be seen. Yet I being engaged in the endeavor will ultimately provide the fodder for my posts. Check back when and as you can, as I figure to be profilic...