(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Ghana- Surely Goodness and Mercy [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-06-17 I know I said in my last story that I was going to take a break from my Ghana stories for a bit and I will, I promise, but it is late Saturday night and it has been a hard week. We almost lost my good friend John in Ghana. It was a bitter, long hard struggle but he finally had his life-saving surgery and is now home and recovering. So that is a good thing. I know something will come up soon, either with John or with others among those he is trying to help, but today I am trying to unwind and relax. And I am thinking, and perhaps a bit over-emotional and suffering from the sudden release of stress. So I have a lot on my mind and I cannot help but share a bit with those who have been so kind as to read my stories and show interest in them. I truly feel honored to be able to help John in his efforts to serve the desperate in Ghana. I know there is very little we can do against the vast sea of pain and suffering in the world. Ghana is a small country of, perhaps, no importance to anyone except those who live there. And even within Ghana we can only help a very few, but…. I saved a man’s life this week. I don’t know if pride is really the right word for how I feel, and I know others would have done the same and more if they had been able to. Neither John nor I are anything special in the world, there are many who do their best to help others. But even so, it feels nice. Years ago I caught the very end of a political talk show on TV. I have no idea what the show may have been or the names of any of the guests but I did hear the very last words of the (conservative) man who was being interviewed. “It’s not my job to raise someone else’s kids.” Shame. Children are not possessions, They are not “someone else’s” kids. They are KIDS. They are weak and helpless and vulnerable and sometimes they need things they have no way to get by themselves. And many times their parents are unable or even unwilling to help them. But that is not the point. The point is they need you. And you treat them like possessions, like things. “Not mine so let them die.” I have no personal connection to Ghana. I don’t live there. My ancestors didn’t come from there. My family has always been poor and I am certain that none of my relatives have ever been there. But these are people, They are bleeding and hurting. Who would turn them away? I am honored to be able to help to ease their suffering and the suffering in the world, even in such a small way. What a gift has been given me in my old age, to be able to help others. If there is a God this is a great kindness that God has blessed me with. Thank you for reading my stories. Just being able to write here has been a great help to me to get me through the hard times when it has been such a struggle to help someone who was in life-danger. The old hymn has been running through my mind tonight, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life.” For tonight we rest and celebrate. Tomorrow John and I go back to work. Thank you for listening. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/6/17/2176081/-Ghana-Surely-Goodness-and-Mercy Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/