While visiting Santa Monica Beach last week, an entire section of beautiful crosses, Stars of David and moons (?-not sure what the moon represents) stood in the sand, representing the fallen heroes from the Iraq War. As we were walking by, there was a guest book to write in. I saw a woman-probably a mother- pen in hand, head down. Unable to write. Unable to go on at the moment. Strangled by emotion, so raw and painful to see. A friend, relative, stranger-I don't know-had one open palm on her back, just reassuring and steady until she was ready to write.
And me. I put my camera away. Unable to imagine. Unable to know the oceans of grief and sorrow of losing someone you love in this way. But I could and can be the person that fills the human need for caring in silence. That gesture I witnessed was so loving, supportive and beautiful.
We walked onto the pier with the boys and after several minutes had passed, I looked back down to check on this mother and she was still there. Head down, still gathering strength. And her friend, still there with that gentle hand in place.
My heart goes out to these woman and I hope some peace will find them both tonight, even for a moment or two.
10 comments:
Oh, that is so sad, it brings tears to my eyes. Your shots are beautiful! It's hard to imagine what it's like to lose a loved one to war.
Beautifully written... and your photographs speak volumes as well. I am so angry about this war and so aggravated that the reality of the dead - the reality of the pain - has largely been kept from our consciousness as a nation. During the Vietnam war, we saw footage of the coffins coming home. Now the dead are numbers we hear from time to time when we hit a new milestone.
PBS News does a silent memorial every night with pictures of the dead, but how many people watch PBS?
That mother crying is one among thousands - among hundreds of thousands if we count the dead Iraqi's too.
This is a beautiful essay. I hope you find a way to get it to a larger audience. Maybe submit it to your local paper... or the New York Times.
Well done.
This gave me the chills - it is that powerful. You should submit it, even if just as a letter to the editor.
Kenju had a newspaper clip on her blog of Cheney saying "So?" to questions about the dead. I wish that Mother could have just a moment to look him in his (evil) eyes.
You have the most wonderful heart Linda.
Linda - I agree with everyone. You should submit this somewhere, anywhere, along with the pictures. It is heartbreakingly real, and Raven is right - only PBS does the nightly memorial on Jim Lehrer's show. I have such enormous respect for him for doing that.
It makes me think of the quote we talked about and that you posted on your site from Henri Nouwen - those friends who stay with us in our grief and raw hurt. You have a powerful, compassionalte voice and your pictures support the writing, and vice versa. I'd be 1,000 percent behind finding a venue for your writing.
Also, fyi - the moons on the beach represent Muslims.
That was such a beautiful and warm post. The pain mothers, wives, sisters, brothers, fathers must feel. I can't even begin to imagine.
Hi - I mean finding a venue for your writing besides the blog and grant writing. I think you are developing a wonderful talent. I know it's hard to put yourself out there, but I got your back, Babe!!
With love,
Suzie
WOW. Just wow. Very moving, Thanks for sharing
SnoopMurph, What a wonderful post! What a wonderful memorial to all the fallen soldiers of this terrible Iraq War! My nephew is a Marine and served in Iraq and came home safe and sound, thank goodness. He gets out of the Marines in July.
The moons, by the way, represent soldiers who were Muslims.
Very eloquently put. Sometimes there's not much to do except witness the moment.
truly moving....
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