Thursday, August 9, 2012

following Father Damien

Father Damien of Molokai (Hawaii) passed away at the turn of the century. He dedicated his life reaching out to destitute lepers that were banished to the small volcanic island of Molokai. He, in turn, contracted leprosy and died.
The leper colony still exists even today.
It's located in a steep valley surrounded by a treacherous reef formation surrounding the island making it difficult to go in as well as to leave. Lepers were put on this island (or should I say chucked overboard to fend for themselves) because of how isolated this island is.
Leprosy,  is now treatable with antibiotics. The 'politically correct" term for this disease is now called "Hanson's disease". Generations of families who had contracted the disease who had been cured still live there.
* There is a movie out on DVD titled "Molokai: the story of Father Damien" 1999 .

You are probably asking yourself, how do I even know about this?
Well, it is because my sister is there.
 She hopes to set up a clinic there for folks with addiction issues.(She has her doctoral degree in psychology)
She had been back and forth to Hawaii for work related conferences. She had embarked on a "spiritual journey" as well  finding herself following Father Damien's foot-steps.
On a personal level, she has dealt with her share of failed soul-sucking relationships and found that the search for "Prince Charming" is just a cruel fairy-tale hoax. This would be one way of rebooting her life by making a move.
On her last family visit she seemed more balanced and focused, putting her energy in the hopes of establishing herself in Hawaii.
I hope it will work out for her.
She always has a story to tell.

1 comment:

  1. yeah like the guy i met who wanted to feather dust:) lol

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