SYMPATHY
Saturday 21, December 2002

[This is something I replied to an online list friend’s comment on my last posting. She had lost her daughter recently and I was very touched that she was concerned enough to read my posts]

>
> Daniel wrote:
> : Yes, we are at day 19 of the "paro", our very unique style of general
> : strike made by boss and worker together.
>
> You are a brave people. I can't imagine Americans motivating themselves
> enough to give up everything they've got for a cause they believe worthy,
> but I may be underestimating us.
>
> I read your posts in awe. That's all I can say for now, except to wish luck
> and a relatively peaceful resolution for you and your country.




Thank you very much Deborah, and coming from you at your time of trial it is really something that I appreciate very much. When Patty dragged me back in our list it coincided with your very sad events and I did feel embarrassed. I have thought about you, and not to compare suffering as these things cannot be shared. But you made me think that after all I am back in Caracas with most of my relatives and friends (some have left the country already). I should feel thankful that people that matter to me can be reached, even if I need to walk there for an hour or more. Coinciding with you it made me realize that things could get worse and I should keep that in mind before I complain that I have to walk. I do have everybody to walk to.

Now, if I say this, and post these posts it is because some people are interested. I do not wish to impose on anybody, nor seek sympathy. I am a tough independent ex-scientist after all. But I must confess that writing these lengthy posts have a cathartic effect on me. They do force me to sort out emotions and bring back my objectivity. When I have finished some of them I feel drained but I also feel better. Weird, but it is so. I just hope that I do manage to control my own anxieties and that I do not alarm people more than what is necessary.