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When Hearts Meet - 24/11/2006 17:37
สำหรับเรื่องดีๆภาษาอังกฤษเรื่องแรก ขอเป็นบทความของพี่นริศ "เมื่อหัวใจมาพบกัน" จาก
http://www.carefor.org/content/view/941/154/ นะคะ
When Hearts Meet!
Written by : Naris Manikhao
Translated by : Moo-Ob
Shortly before returning home after spending some time in Phang Nga Province helping the villagers of Baan Nam Kem, Bang Muang and Tung Wah rebuild their lives after the tragic impact of the 26 December tsunami, one of the volunteer students received a letter from a village housewife. The housewife, herself illiterate, confided her feelings to her husband who, in turn, wrote them down on paper. The letter was written with such disarming honesty that it left all of us practically speechless by the time it drew to a close. This is what it said
QUOTE
Written at Bang Muang, Takua Pa, Phang Nga Province.
10 p.m. on a rainy night.
I feel sad and lonely just thinking that by this time tomorrow youd have been gone. I wish with all my heart that tonight will never end.
Looking back on what happened, I realize that a huge chunk of our material possessions has been lost, but that didnt matter much at all. What tore into my heart was seeing our loved ones and friends instantly snatched away. Since then, there come moments when I feel desolate and weary just realizing that, at the end of the day, money matters so little in life. Up till now, many of the victims have not found the bodies of their loved ones. Just imagine how heartbreaking it is to realize that nothing will ever be the same again not even if we had all the money in the world!
Where then lies true happiness
is there anyone out there who can tell me?
Some people spent 20 or 30 years of their life toiling away just to have the things they gave their life to ripped away in a matter of minutes by the giant waves. How wretched and tragic that is! However, amid the despair and shattering loss of hope, I realize how proud, or should I say, blessed, I am to be born Thai, because Thai people always take care of each other. This is the reason why our paths have crossed; it is what brought you and your group to us. You may have come from different provinces, but what does that matter? What matters is the tie that binds our hearts together just because we are Thai.
Id like you all to know that your presence among us has been invaluable to me. Right now, theres nothing I need more than emotional support and comforting words like what youve given me. Youve been like a balm to my wounded spirit.
Im thankful for your selfless efforts, especially for all your tender care. My life has regained meaning and my spirit is rekindled. I promise that I will never let you down.
I hope well meet again. Until then, I wish you all the luck in the world.
Miss you always
From me
A Victim
UNQUOTE
Whenever we feel loved, nurtured or cared for, or that someone will miss us when we are gone
life takes on a new meaning. In turn, it can sadden us if we realize that we are not in the position to reciprocate the same feeling. I knew this to be the case then because, while we were overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality of the villagers we met at Baan Nam Kem, Bang Muang and Tung Wah, and knew how much our return would mean to them, there was no telling how long it would be until our return or if indeed we should ever return to those villages. Some housewives sadly remarked to the volunteer students, Ive grown fond of you and youre leaving! This sort of remark would leave us momentarily speechless, our throats tight.
To me, that letter from Bang Muang communicated deep and profound feelings that gladdened my heart and yet saddened it. Specially, it reminded me that when we reach out to share warmth, caring and love, and participate within the human family, we could help make the world, in our unique way, a better place.
Another student discovered that his participation in the volunteer work amounted to receiving the giving act. He felt that, by reaching out to touch the lives of the villagers, he gained a whole new perspective on life. You know, he said, I used to hang out a lot, including at weekends. My life has gained new meaning here. Funny enough, I feel happy and contented without wanting to hang out and fool around. I guess the shattering degrees of affliction and despair suffered by the villagers all around us made me realize how wasteful my lifestyle has been up till now.
Another story that touched and moved me deeply was about a young man who lost his entire family his wife, his daughter and his own father when the tsunami catastrophe struck, leaving him the only survivor. Deep is the affliction of this man that, as I was told, he still cries bitterly whenever he is alone, finding it very hard to come to terms with the tragic loss. When I asked him one day about his source of comfort during this difficult time
he looked straight into my eyes and said, Others are a source of comfort to me. I keep reminding myself that there are people out there who suffer and that helps to put my own loss into perspective. In fact, if I were in another place where noone else had suffered this same fate, seeing families together, I wouldnt have survived to tell the tale. I still have to work through my loss. You know
I still see my daughters face every time I close my eyes and think of my family wherever I go.
This young mans courage and emotional stamina to stay on course inspired me. After listening to his tale of woe and looking into his grief-stricken eyes I could not help but feel an admiration for his kindness and genuineness of spirit. His tragic but heartwarming experience reminds me that we can all be a source of comfort and inspiration to others, or make a difference in some way, even if we are sad or struggling to come to terms with whatever is going on in our life. This little life of ours passes so quickly, so if we could just resolve to do the best we can, wherever we are, with the life that is before us, we could help enrich other lives and assure those we meet along the way that they are not alone on this journey the journey we all call life.
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