For all of these, and tens of thousands more, the siren sounded at 2.28 PM yesterday, and along with the rest of the country Shifang Relief Camp came to a standstill. The camp counselors stood in a respectful line, their head bowed. Cars stopped in the streets, but they sounded their horns in a gesture of solidarity to let the suffering know that they are not forgotten.

Behind me, I could hear a teenage boy crying quietly. I did not turn to look at him, but left him in peace to his own thoughts.

The spirit of the day was captured by a group of five young girls standing quietly by the roadside in Majing Town, saluting passing motorists. "Thank you all", said their penciled cardboard signs. "We will pull through. Your help will dry our tears."

(China.org.cn May 20, 2008)