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In this time of tragedy, a need for human contactBy MARY JANE PARK © St. Petersburg Times,
That Friday, the streets in my neighborhood were flooded to such a degree that I couldn't drive to the office. For about 12 hours, off and on, I had no electrical power. Most days, the white noise of the air-conditioning fan blocks out even street traffic noises; without its whir, I was uneasy as I heard the gusts, though grateful they were no worse. The battery backup on the weather radio kicked in with alerts, and National Public Radio broadcast reports concerning the terrorist attacks, occasionally breaking away for updates about the tropical storm. The cordless phone was out of commission, of course, but I had charged the cellular phone the night before, and the land line worked. My next-door neighbors called to say they'd had a frightening ride back to St. Petersburg from their time-share apartment in St. Pete Beach. They were glad to be home, even without electricity. Did I want to come over for crackers and jelly? I thanked them but declined. I had promised to be on call if the newspaper needed me, available to conduct telephone interviews, at least. Already, I'd begun to think about whether the cover stories Nohlgren had written for today's issue of the magazine were serious enough to reflect the unease all of us felt, given the amorphous news and weather. Another friend called to see how I was faring, and I rang a few other people. The power came back on in time for me to watch the service at the National Cathedral in Washington on TV, where even political foes greeted each other in the solidarity of grief, incredulity and resolve. There were miracles in the torrent of loss: Telephone calls from the doomed planes detailing crimes that otherwise would not have been determined easily. Passengers who fought terrorists and diverted a plane from its target. Callers who said, "I love you," knowing they would soon perish. Workers due at the World Trade Center who walked their dogs a few minutes longer in the fresh air of a crisp, brilliant New York morning. Military personnel assigned to areas of the Pentagon that were left standing. Blood donors who stood in line throughout the nation to give of themselves. Gabrielle blew past us, and the weather that weekend was pleasant and bright. Places of worship filled with those who needed the reassurance of Scripture, tradition and fellowship. With college and professional sports and other events canceled, people swarmed to supermarkets and shopping centers, wanting distraction and human contact. They seemed a bit kinder to one another other, and more considerate. Yes, I thought: These stories about intimacy between human beings are appropriate. Although those offered today are specific to older persons, they reflect the universal need for connection. - Seniority editor Mary Jane Park can be reached at (727) 893-8267 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8267. Write to her in care of the St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731; park@sptimes.com
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times Seniority pages |
