Three a.m. and the wind is still. I get out of bed to open a west-facing window. The shade is half way up. The sky is clear. A fat star arcs like a cartoon version of itself, shoots up then disappears into the black night.
It is my 49th birthday. I am aware of the gift that the Universe gives. I have lived in this house for two years now, and only one other early morning sky offered me a shooting star. I am also aware that I must make a wish. Nothing presents itself. I even say to myself: It is your birthday. You just witnessed a rare event. Quick, make a wish.
Even though there are many material things that under normal earth circumstances I would ask for, in the glow of a falling star I can think of nothing. Except this:
Please God: take care of the children of Somalia.
Two mornings ago I attempted, through a Google search, to find a reputable relief organization where I could send a monetary donation. What I discovered is that U.S. aid to Somalia is falling far behind the European efforts. The aid is not getting through due to our government’s policy of restriction. For example,
President Bush signed Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001. Executive Order 13224 gives the U.S. Government a powerful tool to impede terrorist funding and is part of our national commitment to lead the international effort to bring a halt to the evil of terrorist activity. (from the U.S. State Department website)
Words like “evil” are used to help instill fear in our minds, obviating that the fact that the power we give our Presidents simply by voting them into a God-like position can have far-reaching and life-destroying results. The Obama administration is not immune to creating policy that appears to protect, but in the end also harms lives. Check out the May 2010 Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) restrictions .
But it is my birthday. And I saw a shooting star. Now it is 4 a.m. As I share my wish to help heal the bodies and spirits of the children of Somalia, I hope that you will cultivate faith in the power of love. Please join me in trusting that one of the these organizations can get your donation through.
Thank you.
