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Saturday, December 23, 2006
'Twas The Day Before The Day Before Christmas
Our Women in Black Vigil Today
(Witnessing A Slice of Humanity)
(Witnessing A Slice of Humanity)
Today, six of us stood in a narrow little path of packed snow where there used to be a sidewalk. We were separated from the street by a thigh-high hill of icy white stuff.
I don't know what to think of my fellow (wo)men. At the beginning of our vigil, I had a story that I wanted to write on my blog - and it wasn't good. I was actually kind of wondering if, all along, I have been living on the wrong planet. But as the hour went by, I realized that, yes, this is the crazy, mixed-up planet that I, for some reason, chose to spend this lifetime figuring out.
I'll see where this goes...
Traffic was very hectic today - the last Saturday before Christmas. Because of the blizzard and the resulting Colorado state of emergency, stores had been closed for two days and people were really now just coming out of hibernation.
The snow was beautiful, the sky was blue. Holiday goodwill was felt throughout the land. A few honks and peace signs were shared. Then, a man slowed down his truck and calmly and eloquently said, "I like peace, too, but freedom isn't free." I kid you not. I thought that the person in the car must be W or Rummy or someone. When I realized that it wasn't any of those men, I got really scared. I find it really frightening when the government is one's god, and the government's rhetoric is one's mantra.
During our vigil, many, many people waved and showed beautiful appreciation for our efforts. Some flipped us off (Merry Christmas), and some gave us the thumbs down.
Then, one driver just went off. I will not write the words that he yelled at us. "You ____, ____ bag" were some of them. I have never heard anyone as angry as this man. He went on and on. From one part of his tirade, I deduced that he might be a veteran, and I wondered what he had experienced while he served. Was he trying to tell us (in a not-so-artful way) that he needed for us to understand that he had risked his life in hell, believing that he made a difference, and our signs indicated to him that we didn't appreciate his sacrifice? I can understand that.
The woman passenger in the truck just put her head down. My heart breaks for her. I hope that she is safe.
I love standing with Women in Black. Since we don't engage, when someone is angry, the anger comes out and we allow it to just hang in the air. We don't add fuel to the fire, and I feel good about that.
I still believe that most Americans want an end to the war. Anger comes to us loudly or in violent gestures. The people who want peace express themselves in quieter ways and we have to look for them, but the silent applause through the passenger window and the heartfelt, silent thank you's are way more numerous than any displays of outrage.
May all beings be at peace.
Labels: Women in Black
posted by Carol at 11:11 AM
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