Tag: Life

Wake up!

~ Patricia Fagan ~ 1 Comment

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Wake up!  It’s more than time to give thanks and praise

to our God who helps us in all our ways.

The season of giving and receiving unfolds,

so let us relax, go forth and be bold.

This holiday comes at the end of each year

So let us shout for joy and be clear

Wake up

Remember it’s all about our Lord and those

really in need,

so let’s forget about ourselves, there’s

no time for greed.

We keep giving to people who have more

than enough, come on look around

do you really need all that stuff?

Shopping for presents is a yearly tradition

Wake up

It’s time to change this compulsive condition

Stressing and frustrated from all the rush

Spending money we don’t have

until we’re crushed

Wake up

Living paycheck to paycheck to pay all the bills,

believe me when I tell you this is no thrill.

At the end of the year when you think

you’re ahead, the Santa syndrome

Hits you hard on the head

Christmas music entices you to

shop till you drop

As you shop for the season and you

Just want to stop.

Our lives are not defined by how much

we have, but how much one gives to those

who are sad.

Wake up

It’s time to change our obvious response

to a life filled with desires and wants

time to change our conclusion

Get out of this illusion

Place a limit on your family and friend giving

So you can really start living

Stay alert find the charities who are truly

Reaching out

Make a switch, change your life

Remember what life is really about.

 

Pat Fagan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking News

~ Patricia Fagan ~ 2 Comments

It really hurts..

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Life keeps turning upside down rather than right side up

Breaking News, with present dangers 

Crushing with mega disasters, violence and death

Families shattered and destroyed

Disturbed, sending vibrations to distant relatives

and future generations

Their spirit aching and broken

Praying seeking hope and relief from a world in turmoil.

 

Left behind

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

 

FB_IMG_1506479935696Why should I be concerned with those left behind in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria?

Some people were fortunate enough to get their family members out of the Island of Dominica after the hurricane. Those who had the means to travel overseas left in droves by ferry, helicopter, and chartered planes.  I am very thankful because my parents at such a ripe old age arrived safely after enduring weeks with no communication, electricity or running water.

For those left behind, it’s pure torture as the Government scrambles for food water shelter and clothing. Basic amenities are trickling in slowly. Towns have to be relocated due to the  major damage of  homes in many locations.

Don’t forget the children who lost homes and experienced such a tragedy. The schools are unable to give them a sense of normalcy due to the severe conditions of the buildings. Can you imagine living in a place that looks like a war zone?

There are many people living in shelters who has lost everything they own.  I stopped to consider their plight and I couldn’t help but think about the pieces of their life they will have to rebuild all over again.

No one is coming to their rescue in order to get them off the Island. This is their home, and for those who have businesses and work in government positions, the task of rebuilding their country will be daunting.

For others left behind in broken wind-swept roofs, damaged and sunken homes, it was like living in a nightmare which will continue for years to come.

I am deeply concerned with those who are left behind because they are left with  a country that will be impacted in so many ways as they pick up the pieces of their broken lives. We got our parents out but there are friends and relatives trying to deal with this new reality.

We have to thank God everyday for our blessings. Today is given, tomorrow is never promised. The people living in Dominica have a long road ahead in order to conquer the impact of this storm.

They will rebuild their Garden of Eden which is now littered with Debris. It is an opportunity for renewal and rebirth. Let us pray for those who are left behind so they can pick up the broken pieces of their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A crisis at hand

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

IMG-20170920-WA0018When a crisis strikes in other locations around the world, are you empathetic and compassionate about the victims plight? What if anything are you willing to do to help those in need.

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I had a reality check recently when Hurricane Maria rolled over the Island of Dominica. It caused such devastation that I decided to take an active role in participating in their recovery. Maybe one of the primary reasons, it’s the land of my birth and I have family still living there to date. But don’t get me wrong, I have donated to many other causes who came knocking.

There are several ways to be of service, but I decided to start a go fund me account to aid them with some of their basic needs.

The desperation of these people because of a lack of food, water and housing touched my heart therefore I went to work connecting with as many people as possible to get the word out for immediate donations.  What I learned from this experience shocked me into reality.

People, even the ones who are considered your closest friends, aren’t always willing to give even a small donation. I know we all have certain things we are struggling through in our lives. Believe me, I get it.. Then again in this country, we are blessed with a roof over our heads and food on our table. I  guess I was being really naive in thinking friends, family and even strangers, would be ready willing and able to put their money towards Dominica’s recovery. After all, it’s not their problem…

There are some people who I thank from the bottom of my heart that stepped up to the plate. One woman in particular, my coworker who has been extremely passionate in getting the word out to her friends and family. There are also others who helped as well but they are a small minority.

Why are we so complacent, when it comes to helping others in need? I’m not referring to the same people who give time and time again.  We fail to see the urgency in various crisis because we’re not impacted by some of these disasters. In reality, it is the Caribbean today and it might be us tomorrow waiting and hoping someone else will give us a helping hand.

hands-459442_1280I pray that you open you hearts and wallets to help those who are not only in Dominica, but others all over the world who are impacted through various disasters. If you’re interested in helping Dominica please look for the Dominica recovery fund at go fund me. The people of Dominica will appreciate your help. Every drop of kindness in the bucket means someone else will have food and water for sustenance. God bless You….

 

UPDATE

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

photo-1500644970114-4ff3c3dfb61fThere is a humanitarian crisis on the Island of Dominica and other Islands in the Caribbean devastated by Hurricane Irma and Maria. In my previous posts Dominica’s Storm Disaster I showed you some of the disastrous development on the Island caused by Hurricane Maria. There was no running water, electricity, or communication. Once a rainforest environment, most of the trees have been stripped and broken and  some left for dead by the road side.

FB_IMG_1506479672314 The most recent update, food, water and supplies are beginning to trickle in and distributed to various towns.  Communication is getting out slowly through social media. The medical community is working hard with help from other countries to assist those who are severely in need of medical attention. Some areas are just beginning to have running water. So far, 27 people have died and they are still trying to reach some battered areas not accessible by car. The students from Ross University for Doctors have been removed from the Island due to this tragedy. There are people who are still waiting and desperate for help for there basic needs. Transportation has been provided for those who need to leave the Island.

Most of the infrastructure is damaged and it will take a very long time for the country to be rebuilt. Nevertheless, I see it as an opportunity to rebuilt using very smart engineering techniques for damaged bridges and better buildings strong enough to withstand future hurricanes.

The government is doing the best that they can under the circumstances, but are overwhelmed with the task ahead. Security is in place to keep order, and help hard to reach areas impacted by the hurricane.

Dominicans have experienced this crisis before but not to this extent. The last time there was a disaster looming on their shores, it was hurricane Erika beating on their door. This time hurricane Maria didn’t only knock, she came in and took everything in her path.

FB_IMG_1506449817818Dominicans are a proud and resilient people. The hurricane may have knocked them down, but they are not out. They will come together as a community and do whatever it takes to rebuild their country with the help of the world community.

This natural green and lush tropical Island will continue to be called the nature Island and will look even better in the years to come.

FB_IMG_1464972559347This is what Dominica looked like before Hurricane Maria and by the grace of God will continue to be a tropical Paradise, one of earths Garden of Eden in the near future.

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This is the land where I was born, and I will be praying that our God will continue to bless, and heal this land. Its natural beauty will return even better than before.

FB_IMG_1464972669777Please continue to pray that all these Islands which were impacted by the hurricane will be up and running in a short period of time.

Feel free to leave a comment…