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Saturday, April 15, 2006
More About Yesterday
Last year, I wrote profusely as I was here, then entered a shortened story (see August, 2005 entries). This year, I have been trying to blog and am writing very little on paper. Since I don't get to blog much, I am hoping that my feeble memory will serve me when I try to document this trip at a later date.
First I want to thank everyone for their kindness and support. I just read some comments and emails, and they brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, thank you for caring!!! Being here, I am not numb like I can get in suburbia. I feel so deeply. I cry when I read what you write. I cry when I walk up to Joseph Lowery, when I give away money that a friend sent down with me to donate to whatever cause moved me, when I hear the stories of men and women who have had their loved ones die in this war. But I also laugh. These people are FUNNY! I have stood by the road each day, volunteering to do traffic control (and I am such a push-over for people trying to bend the rules!). I get to carry a walkie talkie as I stand out there. I LOVE that - how fun!. I can eavesdrop on conversations that other walkie talkie carriers are having. They give each other shit like only a family member can.
So yesterday after the Stations of the Cross walk, we went back to the motel to get Karen and Gaye, then drove back to the Peace House to get the shuttle to Camp Casey. While we were there, Joseph Lowery arrived. How cute can he be?!? Eighty-five years old, dressed in matching baby blue plaid pants and shirt!!! When I decided to walk up to him to meet him...I couldn't do it, because just the thought made me cry. But I did get it under control and Karen got an awesome photo of me and him together. Since I can't download her photos on my blog yet, I will have to do it another time. I am blown away by the fact that being around people like that can bring me to tears and open my heart until it barely fits in my chest, but they stand there like anyone else and don't appear to know how much they mean to people like me.
Also yesterday, I met Carlos Arredondo whose son died in the war. He is the man who, when he was notified of his son's death, set the military's vehicle and himself on fire. What a loving, open-hearted man! I will write more and post photos as I can.
First I want to thank everyone for their kindness and support. I just read some comments and emails, and they brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, thank you for caring!!! Being here, I am not numb like I can get in suburbia. I feel so deeply. I cry when I read what you write. I cry when I walk up to Joseph Lowery, when I give away money that a friend sent down with me to donate to whatever cause moved me, when I hear the stories of men and women who have had their loved ones die in this war. But I also laugh. These people are FUNNY! I have stood by the road each day, volunteering to do traffic control (and I am such a push-over for people trying to bend the rules!). I get to carry a walkie talkie as I stand out there. I LOVE that - how fun!. I can eavesdrop on conversations that other walkie talkie carriers are having. They give each other shit like only a family member can.
So yesterday after the Stations of the Cross walk, we went back to the motel to get Karen and Gaye, then drove back to the Peace House to get the shuttle to Camp Casey. While we were there, Joseph Lowery arrived. How cute can he be?!? Eighty-five years old, dressed in matching baby blue plaid pants and shirt!!! When I decided to walk up to him to meet him...I couldn't do it, because just the thought made me cry. But I did get it under control and Karen got an awesome photo of me and him together. Since I can't download her photos on my blog yet, I will have to do it another time. I am blown away by the fact that being around people like that can bring me to tears and open my heart until it barely fits in my chest, but they stand there like anyone else and don't appear to know how much they mean to people like me.
Also yesterday, I met Carlos Arredondo whose son died in the war. He is the man who, when he was notified of his son's death, set the military's vehicle and himself on fire. What a loving, open-hearted man! I will write more and post photos as I can.
posted by Carol at 8:31 AM
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