As I sat in anatomy class yesterday, my teacher explained to us the definition of pain. On the most basic level, pain is caused by edema and the stimulation of nerves by mediators. Yes, that is true if you have a splinter in your finger, but what if you have a broken heart? On September 11th, our nation survived a terrorist attack. It was painful on a literal level to all the people who were killed and wounded. However, the rest of the nation still bears a broken heart. Last night on the news, people were lined up at hospitals with pictures of their loved ones. In the back of their minds, most realize that their loved ones have perished, but they can't suffocate that hope of survival. For them, a simple Band-Aid and some peroxide won't make the pain go away; only time and the compassion of others can mend their broken hearts.
Last updated: 09/14/01