The Vegas Voice 3-21

We Are One!
By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action
The date - October 14, 1987. The place –
Midland, Texas. The event – 18 month old
Jessica McClure “Baby Jessica” was rescued from
a well after falling 22 feet.
Over 100 million Americans (including me) were fixated to
their televisions anxiously waiting to see if our prayers were being
heard to save this infant. The result: a miraculous recovery that few
believed was possible.
Why were so many of us completely obsessed with this little girl’s
well-being?
She wasn’t our daughter, sister or a family friend. We didn’t know
her. What was it that captivated so many of us that once she was
rescued, we all cried with gratitude and relief.
Maybe because it could have been “my little girl” and we could easily
emphasize with her plight. Who among us at that time didn’t feel the
tragedy brewing deep in our heart of hearts?
As human beings, we are all connected in ways that few among
understand. Unfortunately, from time-to-time, we need a tragedy
that we can identify with that instantly connects us in shared deep
emotional ties.
It goes right to the depths of our souls and it does so instantly! Think
about it. Reflect back to that moment and it brings up a deep emotional
response.
That October 1987 date should be branded in our collective
souls. That miraculous event that occurred nearly 34 years ago, did, for
one brief moment, unite all of us watching.
We were unanimous in prayer and hoped that “Baby Jessica” would
be rescued and well! When she was, we all cried with grateful relief!
Then, everything changed.
We went back to our “normal” daily lives! Sadly and predictably, our
vitriolic attitude regarding politics, religion and everything else reared
its ugly head again.
Family arguments became another regular dinner event. We sadly
returned to what is all too familiar to us.
Why should it take a tragedy for us to pause and look at each other
with a deep sense of connection? By reflecting on that event, perhaps
our attitudes can change. I hope we do.
We are all in this together and it’s about time we all recognize that
We Are One! Don’t you think?
Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior
community. He can be reached at: dhyde9@cox.net.
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