Hello!
Do you remember the tsunami of 2004, off the coast of Indonesia?
For me it is a vague memory of a nightmare I saw on the news, on the TV- and until recently that was the extent of my knowledge of it.
230,000 - 280,000 is the estimated number of casualties and / or missing people since the Earthquake that was the longest measured quake since humans have been recording them. It was a magnitude of 9.1.
The vibrations from the massive quake actually shook our entire planet off its course by a fourth of an inch in the solar system.
Some people say “That was so long ago. They must be fine now.” And “We helped, we are done helping”.
Remember seeing photos of small children crying, covered in mud in the aftermath of the tsunami?
Remember seeing one riveting photo of an infant, sitting by itself, on a muddy porch of a home that had water rushing through its windows?
That baby, and those kids- and thousands more joined them in the saddest story I have ever heard. Those children grew up. That baby… is now in his 20’s.
The elderly people now were the only surviving adults, and the amount of parents who were washed away to sea far exceeds the number of kids who survived which means … those tiny boys and girls raised the babies. The ratio of children to adult were extreme, and the adults at the time handed together to work hard to find clean water and decent food and shelter after their lives were forever changed.
The earth opened up its mouth and with its tsunami tongue wiped out a portion of humanity.
Those adults who are now elderly worked tirelessly since then. Year after year feeding and clothing more than anyone could ever afford to in any country no matter how rich for most of those years.
The youth has grown strong from the traumatic lives they were forced into, however they still have never known the feeling of having “plenty”.
They spent their childhood cleaning up after the devastation, foraging for clean water to drink and suffering many illnesses that would be cured by simple modern medicines and medical care.
Many of the families are still there, and I am so lucky to have met some of them via #Steemit and the community here.
My friend, username @Nasrol and @munawire and many of their friends have expressed interest in further education to improve their language skills, and other skills and they work hard at it.
These Guys are honest. These guys have worked since they were very small to rebuild their communities and had no childhood at all, but they are happier now that they have found #Steemit as a viable resource to earn and grow with. They just deserve more. Much more.
I love to read some of their posts and I give full upvotes to their posts when they show much effort because I know they have limited resources and I enjoy contributing in the only way I can, with upvotes.
About Good Intentions and Unwelcome Scams
It feels like the planet has called me to set an example here in @steemit. I know many of the people on steemit get berated by scams and people take advantage of unsuspecting kindness and I do believe in making people PROVE to me that they are not just pretending to be 12 people all 12 accounts collecting upvotes and taking away from others- and those people do exist. @Nasrol passed the test for me but In his city, steemit con artists do exist. Nasrol is not one of the scammers, he is genuine.
Anyone who have ever collected upvotes from multiple accounts in one thread of comments is a thief. If you steal from steemit users by accepting upvotes as two or more people, and you are only one person, than you are not welcome to do this type of deceitful trickery anymore. That is called stealing and it’s called exploitation and you should never ever ever do it again. I forgive all of the times it has happened, up until today- and any from today forward will not be treated as kindly in response.
🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓🥢🍓
@nasrol is genuine. He has not pretended to be anyone. He is himself. It is why I am sharing with him, regularly by upvoting his efforts here in Steemit.
Everyone - I say to you: PLEASE Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. Don’t take advantage of the tiny gifts I am able to give in the form of upvotes. I intend them for people who try hard to engage in the conversation and from their 1 account only, and I don’t do it just because of the need for charity.
Why? Because I am in need of charity too. Most people need help some time. A large percentage of the world population is hungry, but I am not able to reach all people. I can help some though.
🦋 Bye luck or by fate, I have been given a gift of naivety which allows me to look at humans as potentially good people. I am not one who thinks all are bad at the core. I am not saying everyone is good and I am not saying people don’t exploit the optimism of kindness, I am saying that because I can see past the layers of desperation that comes only from hunger, I can see people, with beating hearts and incredible stories behind there words.
Guess what, the people of Indonesia, who I have grown to care for, are hard at work, trying in earnest, to write their history, and to write poetry in English, and to live and feed their families and… some of them are aging, and deserve a chance to rest.
My friend @Nasrol sent me a sweet poem he wrote, and in his native language it says:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By @Nasrol
“Daun dan bunga meniup harum semerbak
Di ujung kutub di sana yang dingin
Aku berdiri di antara dunia, memberi senyum untuk kalian
Kau yang di sana seperti musim semi
Yang membelai lembut putik-putik kembang berwarna
Kata adalah bentuk dari hati yang lain
Yang kita persembahkan untuk orang-orang yang kita kasihi
Di ujung dunia aku berdiri
Mendaki perasaan yang dalam padamu
Lihat lah hati dan ketulusan dalam cinta
Bukan harga yang dapat di jual beli
Teruntuk kau yang di sana
Bagai bulan di langit yang terbelah—cahaya nya turun ke bumi
Hati kita juga begitu
Terbelah lembut tapa bersuara
Hanya wangi nya berlubang cinta, menjelma kasih dan sayang abadi
Dua ujung dunia yang jauh
Tempat kita di belah oleh badan
Antara dinding rindu yang melanda
Antara dinding hati yang mengetuk dinding nya
Kapan kita saling bersentuhan
Menggenggam jemari kamu menjadi kenyataan
Biar rindu padamu tak tak lagi tertahan
Mendidih dalam darah dan gairah
Berikan ciuman yang mesra kepada bulan di awan
Biar bibir kita menyatu di sana”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Translated via 3 translator tools my interpretation of his poem is below in English.
Poem, Written By @Nasrol translated by @Lorilikes
The leaves and flowers are fragrant
Wind blowing on the top of the world
Even though alone I'm standing there, in the cold
I am on top of the world, so I smile.
You are there. A soft caress
A spring-colored flower
Words are another form of heart
These words offered to our loved ones
Even at the farthest end of the world
I stand.
With the feeling of climbing in the Sea.
My heart and my sincerity and my love, all priceless.
Then, you are there.
Like the Moon in the sky
Sending light down to our Earth,
Sending light into our broken hearts.
A soft voiced sweet scent, sent to mend us.
Only this is love.
Eternal love and affection
From the two ends of the world
Our thoughts somewhere in between the distance.
In between the wall of distance
Some aim and miss the target.
I Knock on the door
That’s leads to the heart
Locking hands
I am dreaming that this will come true
I don’t want to keep
Missing you,
It’s painful to my heated blood,
my soul somehow burns
Thinking, healing from a kiss from the moon
Such a gift like this
Might bind us to this dream.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Touchy story of tsunami victims. I feel for them. I will follow your good example. Give them @nasrol and @munawire some upvotes no matter how tiny. Hopefully things will get better for them by God's grace. Great job @lorilikes. May God continue to keep you strong and blessed.
amen.
hopefully you @praise-ue and @lorilikes are always given health and given an easy sustenance.
thanks to both of you who are willing to become us.
we are very happy .
Thank you very much
Hey Lori,
it's really amazing to see that you are helping those in need. Actually, I myself sometimes stumble over people where I think it is hard to decide if I want to give them my upvote. For example when I see that people are using photographs of others to push their own posts but not giving credits to the owner. In my eyes a no-go from the perspective of a photographer, who puts time and money in it to create something.
On the other side it is always hard to decide, because I never know what story is behind this person. That's why I appreciate that you introduce your friends here (I am not saying that they are doing something like mentioned above, it was just a example for my decisions!). I really hope they can grow a big community here and get support, because that is what Steemit should be for, support each other (as long as people are unique)!
@Cantdecide _ So glad it feels valued and give the trust from you. Thanks also to our brother @lorilikes who we care about.
@nasrol lol you called me brother? That is a word to describe a boy or man. Maybe You were not aware. The word for girls who are like a brother is sister.
@cantdecide thank you for saying hello and I appreciate your thoughts.
@nasrol @lorilikes You both are welcome :)
Hi @lorilikes. Very good post friend. You very humble heart to every ones. I am very salut. The boys in your photo very cute. The poem also very amazing. Salut
Thanks @rika87, .Number 87 you are also very funny
The tsunami was really devastating. It is never about Indonesia or Nepal or Japan or India or other calamities. Its about the lives it takes away with it, people are left homeless poverty strikes. It takes decades to again stabilise the region. Not humans but humanity suffers during this time. That's why whenever you get a chance help someone help them not always big rather be it small.
And to the people who try to trick others, Lies don't fit snugly into disguises. Eventually the cloak falls off and you're left staring at the naked truth which is always an uncomfortable situation.
Never try to do anything that is outside of who you are. A forced smile is a sign of what feels wrong in your heart, so recognize it when it happens. Living a lie will reduce you to one. Don't misuse kindness, trust is like a mirror the other person looks at you relates but when you break that mirror the other person can never see the same you. It distorts.
Great words of wisdom! Thanks !
i understand what you have been through..
i have faced pretty similar conditions when we had TAJ attack in mumbai India in 2008 november
as i reside next to taj hotel mumbai it was damn difficult for me to get out of those nightmare
those were the unlucky days when i encountered live firing and innocent people being dead in front of my eyes
luckily i survived cuz of those right movements of mine by not getting out of my place and locking myself inside a room along with my family @lorilikes
Wow ! Traumatic experiences like this should be well documented.
Do tell your story please. Make a post and share with me the link
@lorilikes you just gave a good idea about a new post .. I'll try to give my best in that post no matter if it takes time... nd will surely share it with you
Read the offer it makes me thrilled and happy, how great someone there appreciate friendship. A smile I dedicate to thee this morning, but really this time I could no longer hold back my tears.
Thanks @lorilikes--we all love you.
hy friends @nasrol have not met for a long time ....
i want to meet the noble task for our beloved idol @lorilikes i am waiting for your spare time @nasrol and @munawire
Thanks you so much @lorilikes
Miss you dear
I am very touched by this Post of yours...
Helping the genuine self made people is laudable...
I gave @nasrol a follow ....
Thanks Xabi.
It's always nice to give back. I support and encourage you to further your efforts. Thanks for all what you've done so far, and will continue to do!
OMG! It still remains one of the saddest news in history. It was so terrible, so scary, that nature's fury, and wreaked so much devastation. And I am so glad that those toddlers survived the trauma and gladder that in your largeness of heart, you are able to be of help.
That poetic piece by @nasrol is a masterpiece, so expressive with a lot of depth and candor.
Thank you Lori for sharing.
I never thought of poetry as a universal language, but you are changing my mind.
It's so easy to lose sight of all the tragedies around the world. One donates a little money for relief efforts, then move on, but the tragedy affects people for years and years. I think it is because there is so much bad stuff in the world that the urge to just hide grows strong. Thanks for shining a light on some of the good that can rise out of a tragedy.
Good for you for doing the work to figure out who people are. It's hard to tell sometimes, but it's worth it if you can make new friends. I tend to be a bit naive sometimes too. It's ok. If you get taken advantage of, you try not to worry about it. I think it's more important that your own heart be in a good place than the other person's need be genuine, if that makes sense.
I totally agree. It’s better to be sincere and unwise than to be wise and lonely.
I can not imagine how happy I am.
my name and my photo entry into your post,
this is a great honor for me.
thank you very much @lorolikes (y).
The moment I could not forget was the tsunami on December 26, 2004. I was 10 years old then. At that time I ran to invite mother and father to the neighbor's house for hearing the cry of rising sea water. On the second floor of the neighboring house that was being built we repeatedly prayed as aftershocks continued to occur and sea water stretched around us. but unfortunately our house is not saved destroyed by tsunami, because our house is made with wood. It is a very unusual sight.
I also like your posts about @nasrol and @munawire they are my friends. thank you
today I get my identity back, you call me, it is an honor for me.
thank you @ rizky05.
thanks @nasroel
thanks @lorilikes.
I am very happy .
i remember the day, the day where my arm has broke, i feel the shake, little shake. i'm in east java and i feel it.
For the sake of luck or fate, I have been given a gift of naivety that allows me to see human beings as potentially good people. I am not a person who thinks all bad at the core. I'm not saying that everyone is nice and I'm not saying that people do not exploit the optimism of goodness, I say that because I can see through the desperation that comes just because of hunger, I can see people, by beating hearts and amazing Stories reversed words exist. Guess what, the people of Indonesia, whom I care about, work hard, earnestly, write their history, and write poetry in English, and to live and feed their families and ... some of which are aging , and deserve a chance to rest
very touching words, I was speechless@nasrol and @munawire is my friend in learning to write, I will meet them and take photos together for you.
thank you dear, your heart is so soft as the wind wiping heart full of sincerity.
I really want to meet you in the real world @lorilikes
I'm proud to be your big fan @lorilikes
Miss you dear
today I get my identity back, you call me, it is an honor for me.
thank you @wiralhokseumawe
thanks @nasrol
thanks @lorilikes
I am very happy .
♥️♥️@wiralhokseumaweto Glad do it. You will get a feature too, tomorrow, and @noisse too
Thanks you so much my dear @lorilikes
confidence to meet in the real world increases
I applaud standing this kind of initiative
Thanks my friend @merryslamb.
you make a post to someone else.
it was very nice @lorilikes
Congratulations @nasrol
Thanks girl
posts that combine multiple people and word owners.
This is very nice .
I like it very much .
congratulations to you all.
Thanks
I'm so tired of people pretending to be other people on steemit... i once searched around the introduceyourself tag, i saw 3 posts that had the exact same text but with 3 different images, and they all said they were "single mothers of 3"... pretending to be another person is only going to ruin their progress on the platform...
Oh nooo really? My words or his words? @teutonium
Ok I think I read that wrong...
It was probably my own fault, i was writing that just before going to bed and i was soo sleepy :P
Well regardless of that, just woke up and i'm going to check out nasrol's posts !