Three Things.....

I was driving home from Madison yesterday morning listening to NPR. I can't recall if it was the regular news part of the programming or one of their daily programs. But three stories caught my attention and have been floating around in my brain ever since. I keep wondering what they mean in the world.......what consequences.....what solutions?

The first had to do with a giant cyclone hitting the coast of India and Bangladesh. One million people had been relocated to inland areas to wait for the storm to pass. The winds were much stronger than expected and the storm was moving much more slowly than the forecast predicted. The commentator on the scene was describing the devastation....the worst in decades. Not only were people displaced and homes destroyed but he indicated that the area's crops were ruined and it would be years before the locals could once again support themselves by farming in any fashion. The people and the country would need help.

The second story had to do with the citizens of North Korea. The country has had it's worst harvest season in decades and 40% of the people are suffering from malnutrition or severe malnutrition. So I wonder about just how long that situation will continue without an uprising (seems unlikely) or aggression on Dear Leader's part. 40% are hungry every day.

And then the third "good news" story was a reminder that about 40% of American's don't have $1000 in their savings accounts and would have difficulty meeting an unexpected $400 expense. Never mind saving for retirement...and oh yes, children today may have basically zero social security funds to use as part of their planning for their senior years.

I drove along in our nice car.....having visited a friend near Madison. I listened to the radio and then blasted a Keith Urban CD singing along with no one around to complain my solo. And I once again thought to myself "I am so fortunate....and frankly so worried." I feel like Dave and I were born at the right time in history, to the "right" parents and had the right opportunities and chances to work hard to achieve and realize our goals. But we were at the crest of a wave that is now heading for shore....with flat seas behind it. Younger kids won't have that wave of possibility......and just what does that mean for our world.

And then came the story about what's going on in the collapsing country of Venezuela....so I guess yesterday there were four things......