Will We Ever Learn What is Important?

Will We Ever Learn What is Important?

                                 By Susan Steffen-Kraft

Amidst the horror of protestors that are destroying things in their anger at Trump being elected, amidst the anger of people directed at each over most anything, amidst the anger at police and I will say that some anger is warrented but some is not.  Amidst the sports figures and others that protest against their flag and anthem and amidst the anger and violence people commit against each other and the destruction of property; in other words, destroying others dreams.  Amidst our government high-ups and other world leaders that go against their own people for power and control and amidst religious persecution from some belief systems comes this; the realization that many have no clue about the thankfulness they should have for just being alive and for what they have. Life is precious and for those from who it is snatched well, perhaps we can learn from it. Here is one story.

Early Tuesday morning the of Nov. 29, 2016 a plane went down. Not just any plane, but a plane filled with the hopes and dreams of a soccer team that had never made it to the big final before. They had been playing in the fourth division — the equivalent of baseball’s low minor leagues — less than a decade ago.  This was the team from Chapecoense and their joy at their Cinderella run is a story in itself.  It was not to be despite the expectations and the march of this incredible journey. Instead, the plane broke into pieces killing 75 people with only 6 surviving (they had hoped to find more survivors but have not). Chapecoense was truly the little club that could because they were, as of a few years ago, having struggles! But this time, they became the giant slayers and most soccer fans were pulling for them. 

Brazilian President Michel Temer is declaring three days of official mourning and I understand a little bit the terrible shock this town and country is going through let alone the families. The above pictures are of Alan Ruschel, one of the team’s defenders who Snapchatted photos of him and goalkeeper Danilo Padhila while on board the plane. Both of these players were pulled from the wreckage alive, though Padhila died shortly after being in the hospital.

​The Medellin-based Atletico Nacional said it was asking the South American soccer confederation to give the Copa Sudamericana title to Chape as a tribute to the players who died! "“You came here for your dream,” Nacional said in a tweet. “Now you will leave as legends.” A wonderful gesture considering they were the team that Chapecoense Real was to meet in the final. 

Amidst the chaos going on in this country it is heartwarming to read about this gesture from the opposition. A lesson we should all learn from. In addition to this, some of Brazil's top clubs said they want to give players to Chape on a free loan for the 2017 season. They also made the statement that the club should not be relegated to the second division for three years as it recovers from the disaster. Amazing gestures and the world and our country should take a lesson and learn from this tragedy. 

Below are two pictures; the one on the left of rioters who are destroying things and the picture on the right of Brazil and Colombia coming together as more than a 100,000 fans mourn the Chapecoense soccer team tragedy.  A contrast of what it should and should not be.

Nothing is perfect and even in Brazil there are troubles. Brazil has been grappling with extraordinary upheaval this year, including from the impeachment to its president to a very severe economic crises and an array of political corruption scandals. And in the world of Brazilian sports alone, the United States Justice Department had indicted the most powerful executives in Brazilian soccer on graft charges.  

​The 2016 Summer Olympics had a former governor from that country who helped land the 2016 Summer Olympics  who is now in jail. Apparently, he has charges against him that he took bribes in a deal to renovate the city's Maracana stadium. Despite all of this, the joy and love for this team has touched people's hearts. Many are stunned with the news of this tragedy and are pulling together in their grief. 

​And yet, the appaling scandals and nonsense go on in the USA and the world. Many are ungrateful and have time on their hands to loot, riot and protest. They could take a lesson from the little team that could and did until life and their dreams were snatched from them.

One of the players had just found out he was to become a dad and he was so happy. Others were just happy to be achieving a goal and a dream. I have seen pictures of some of these handsome, smiling young men on their way to the fairy tale championship game. We sit here, and I too am guilty, and we think of our problems and bitch and moan. We have a right to do that but....remember when these things happen how much we have and are blessed with.  

Our protestors have no clue what is truly important in life. They destroy other's dreams with no remorse while tragedies like this happen and I scarcely understand how they can be act that way. These young men truly knew what it was to sacrifice and to fight for a dream. There are others here in our own country that scream for freebies and achieve nothing!
​That is truly a tragic waste in and of itself. They are the ones who have not learned.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/colombia-plane-crash-survivors-fight-for-life-as-tragic-tales-emerge/news-story/98bf4f71518757bf8b7ceeb872d9a612,
https://www.yahoo.com/news/chapecoense-players-post-photos-crash-181815046.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma,
​http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/fans-gather-mourn-chapecoense-players-slideshow-wp-190053906/p-supporters-brazil-soccer-team-photo-190053470.html,
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/brazilian-club-chapecoense-aboard-plane-crashed-43840050,
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/world/americas/plane-carrying-brazilian-soccer-team-crashes-in-colombia.html?_r=0,
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-chapecoense-crash-20161129-story.html