soy así

Imagine a life without the usual comforts - a soft bed or pillow to lie down on, no electricity or even light means no television or radio or  iPod, no phones ringing or text messages in being received, no hot meals or running water in a faucet, washing clothes by hand and trying to dry it in a dark damp place, pooping in a bucket and no toilet paper to wipe your ass, no deodorants or towels or shavers. That would really ruin one’s day. But then imagine being that way for 69 days. That would really put one in a foul foul foul mood. Now imagine spending 69 days in a dark hole with 33 other people mostly strangers to you and when disagreements or fights or nerves are all wound tight there is no where to go but stay and work out your issues together...after all where can you go if you’re trapped 700 meters underground?

Approximately 12 AM this morning, the first trapped Chilean miner (out of the 33) came above ground. And as of writing twenty-two has emerged already. I’ve watched this news since it first broke in CTV, CNN and CBC on August 5, 2010. Until the rescuers first made contact when they received a note from the trapped miners. Then the depressing news that it would take them until Christmas before they are rescued. The aid coming from diverse areas that offer consult as well as actual work to make their recovery faster. Until the unveiling of the capsule that will shuttle each miner. Until the reluctance of the thirty-three miner to go first. Until today where every miner comes out the small hole into the bright sunlight. I’ve seen the images of the miners stripped, unshaven, bleary. As well as their jubilant faces and the burning fire of hope in their eyes. These men and the countless people behind their rescue has kept me in awe with joy.

I sit here writing while images on the television live from Chile show the happy and emotional faces of the every miner that comes out of the rescue capsule. But what captivated me to this news was not only the outcome but...

1. how people came together to pool resources, knowledge and even courage to rescue them;

2. how the miners displayed discipline (rationing an emergency food supply for two days to last 17 days until contact), tenacity (listening to drills approaching for days before they were’ first contacted and preparing pre-written notes for the rescuers) and solidarity (recognizing a hierarchical structure to preserve order and routine within their group);

3. how different countries stepped in to help with the rescue efforts including psychiatrists, engineers, experienced miners, doctors to help ensure that the physical and mental well being of the trapped miners are kept intact for the long process they have to go through before being rescued.

As I continued to watch the news and type, I am humbled at how these thirty-three people have shown both the goodness and greed of mankind. They wouldn’t have to stay for so long in that mine if the owners only recognize the safety standards set by the mining industry in their country. There are changes to be made, correction plans to be carried out, and expensive lawsuits that will and/or has come out of this mining accident.

But personally, there is a valuable lesson for me to learn here as well... At times I get so worked up by what I do not have and whine about how miserable my life is being far from  B. Many days I cry and have become depressed because it’s taking us so long to be together. I bitch and rant about the people I have to deal with every day at work. I get so dissatisfied with what I am earning in Canada when I had it easier in the Philippines. I get consumed by jealousy, anger, apathy, and negativity. Worst of all I share my conceived misery to everybody especially to  B. I am, despite knowing better not to, living the old cliché, “Misery loves company”.

I suppose that is the silver lining for any disaster or calamity, the ability to see the flaws and make the necessary correction. If these guys were able to keep hope and faith then so can I. I know that life is full of adversities and it doesn’t owe us anything to give us what we always expect. I am pretty sure that they weren’t always feeling dandy during their 69 days of unwanted confinement, but they focused on their personal goals and that fueled their passion to do everything they can in order to attain it. It may not be as black and white for me. Living can be filled by so many distractions but not losing sight of my own personal goals as well as my goals with  B can be my source of joy and hope in my tempestuous moods and emotions. And when the going gets really tough, God as my anchor will keep me sane.

As I end my post, twenty-six miners have been rescued so far. The whole world is watching in anticipation and prayer until the very last miner comes up safely. To those thirty-three miners, their family and friends who kept vigil, the Chilean nation that kept vigil and hoped, and the unnamed people who took a seemingly impossible task and made a fervent prayer become real -

¡GRACIAS!

¡Al único Dios, nuestro Salvador, que puede guardarlos para que no caigan, y establecerlos sin tacha y con gran alegría ante su gloriosa presencia, sea la gloria, la majestad, el dominio y la autoridad, por medio de Jesucristo nuestro Señor, antes de todos los siglos, ahora y para siempre! Amén. 

~ Judas 1:24-25