From: Nancegar at aol.com <Nancegar>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 20:33:16 EDT

Norma, you're so very right in many ways, I think -- yes, the need for food, water, medical care, showers, etc., is huge and needs to be taken care of immediately -- abd needed to be taken care of days ago.

But Amy is right, too, and Sally, I strongly feel.

The children are going to need more than food and water, and soon! (Some may even need the distraction that stories, paper, crayons, can provide now.) But especially once they are fed, once they are hydrated, once their medical needs are met or have begun to be met, the terrible trauma will remain. And for many kids, it's through their own stories and the means to express them, and the stories of others, that children can often begin to heal. I think it's also true that when children are fed and hydrated, they need to be helped to be children again, to laugh, even, and to play. I don't think we should lose sight of those needs, and those needs are going to continue for a long, long time.

Peace, Nancy G

____________________________________________ Please visit my website at www.nancygarden.com
Received on Sat 03 Sep 2005 07:33:16 PM CDT