Life for life.

        We are seeing the goodness of people now. We are witnessing who we can be. It is an uplifting sight in the center of such misery.

        There is greatness in goodness. We need to be reminded of that.

        The television images pounded us with horror and despair. I cannot watch, one more time, the second kamikaze jet, curling around the tower, left wing lowered like the head of a bull, disappearing from view, then emerging as flames on the other side of the building.

        I will not watch, one more time, the giant tower falling in on itself, like vertical dominos, the dust from the structure's last breath blowing like a volcanic eruption.

        I will go to church, though. I will pray, for the heroes who died Tuesday, and for the heroes who live on. They are all around us, bathing us in a sweet and healing light.

        The man's name was Frank Rella, and he was talking to Dan Rather. He is a paramedic. “I'm not going home until every one of them is back with us. Somebody trapped is more important than us being afraid.”

        They had so many volunteers in New York, they were turning people away. Rescue workers, paramedics, doctors. Children, there to bring water, clerics to comfort survivors and their families.

        This mass coming-together of our best natures humbles me. It is the light after the eclipse. This, I will watch.

        Call the main number now at the Hoxworth Blood Center and you'll get a recording that says something like this: “We are overwhelmed with support from the community.”

        They have too much blood. What a thing.

        At Hoxworth's main branch Thursday, a Xavier senior named Sally Poll said she called the blood center Tuesday morning, as soon as she'd witnessed the tragedy. She couldn't get through. The phones were busy for two hours.

        “People are reaching out so unselfishly,” she said.

        Sally Poll gave a pint of O blood.

        Life for life.

        “We have enormous resources of goodness and kindness in this country,” said Linda Hill, a social worker, donating a pint of B-negative. “I'm proud to be connected to other human beings who show compassion and concern when there is a tragedy like this.”

        Proud, yes. Grateful, on a day such as this, to live among people such as ours. Locally, we've been less than careful in the way we've treated each other lately. Our humanity seemed to be drifting to opposite corners.

        But when it comes to a common purpose, we are still one arm, sleeve rolled up, our blood donated to another.

        Life for life.

        It was a bad week. It was a week of wandering emotions and drained spirit. It suggested a fearful future.

        No one who saw Tuesday will forget it. No one who lived through it will not be touched. Here is what I will remember first, though:

        Jim Banis, 59, sleeves rolled up, giving blood from both arms. His left arm wasn't offering enough. “This one quit giving,” he explained. Then, to the technician: “Make sure you get enough blood out of me. I'll stay until you do.”

        Mr. Banis wore a red bandage on his right elbow, a blue on his left. He was dressed in a white shirt. “It's a small, minor thing to do to help someone,” he said.

        They got a pint of blood from him, and from everyone else at Hoxworth Thursday morning.

        Life for life.

        The place was packed.

       Contact Paul Daugherty by phone: 768-8454; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pdaugherty@enquirer.com.
       

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