Peace in the Midst of a Storm
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Dear Readers, As of this writing, the death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey-Syria has passed 46,000 people.2 That’s over 4 times the city of Wilton Manors (pop. 11,431)3 I cannot fathom the devastation that has taken place there. I can’t comprehend the people that are suffering. Or get my mind around the buildings, roads, schools, hotels, offices, and hospitals that have been demolished. Or understand the time of anguish of the people that have been found, days buried under concrete, still alive. How do we make sense of these kinds of natural disasters? They are and always have been part of Earth, our only world of existence. Even here in Florida, we have our familiar history of both natural and manmade disasters. But I have learned that no matter what comes, there is always peace amidst the storm. There is always an answer. There is a new day. Something may be taken today, but tomorrow can bring newness of life. For a time, I grieved over what I thought was the greatest loss I ever had. I call it the darkest chapter of my life. But I made it through. This month, OutClique magazine features SunServe. If you are going through a tough time, reach out to them. They have numerous services that can help or refer you to someone who can. Don’t suffer alone. There is hope. There is peace. And yes, there is peace even for those suffering the loss in the earthquakes of Turkey-Syria. May happiness be abounding.4 Dr. Steven5 1 Stanley, C. (2022). “In the Midst of the Storm.” 2 February 19, 2023, Washington Post. 3 (2020) U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) 4 Dr. Angela Easterday-Holder, former Chair and Professor of Music at Carson-Newman University and choir member Immanuel Baptist Church, Lexington, KY (www.ibclex.org) 5 Dr. Jane McEldowney Jensen, doctoral supervisor. Director of Graduate Studies, Educational Policy Studies & Education. University of Kentucky, College of Education. Dissertation title: Pediatrics education in an AHEC setting: Preparing students to provide patient centered medicine. A research study of ways that medical students learn patient centered medicine through their rotations in AHEC clinical settings.
