What Makes It Real?

Is it Anderson Cooper with a furrowed brow looking concerned yet still handsome wearing an almost too tight t-shirt? Is it Bono speaking before the UN or organizing a benefit concert? Is it President Obama pledging immediate aid? Maybe it's the ubiquitous Red Cross symbols?

I am a former news junkie. I could scarcely satisfy my appetite for politics with every cable and network outlet even with the annoying news ticker at the bottom of the screen. Then something happened after the election. I was burned out. I am sorry to say that all of the issues that I was so passionate about blurred into a boring haze. Scanning through msnbc.com is all that I can muster these days. I am ashamed to admit it. I even expect disparaging comments. I deserve them. I even feel a measure of sadness for posting only about Twilight in the wake of such human suffering.

Speaking of human suffering, have you noticed the way that the media tends to sensationalize child abuse or abduction cases? When I read those, I mourn. All mothers do. I can't get it out of my mind. For weeks. I have anxiety. Fear. I pray for souls lost. I have tears at random moments. I can't deal with it. If, you ask, I am so affected, then why don't I volunteer? I expect those comments. I deserve them. I don't know other than Mr. Lipstick is in law school and when I am not at work, I am taking care of my own children. My house is often chaotic. My sanity resides in this blog. I am deeply thankful for those who read me.

So what makes this earthquake real? The death toll? I can't comprehend that. I have 266 friends on Facebook. I didn't even know I knew that many people. One hundred thousand people may have perished. I have no frame of reference for that.

This Associated Press photo (photographer's name not listed) made me stop.

This photo made me pray.

This photo made it real.