In the wake of 9/11, I repeatedly returned to the same haunting photos and videos on CNN, hoping that, somehow, it would help me make sense of the unfathomable horror that had unfolded in New York City that I knew so well and elsewhere. It was a ritual of sorts, an attempt to process the shock and sorrow that gripped us all.
Oct 17, 2023·edited Oct 17, 2023Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍
Of all the Alex Notes, Tweets, posts on The Planet and Patreon I've read and enjoyed, agreed with and learned from over the years, this is the best ever! It is so poignant, comforting and necessary in this troubled world we live in today. Thank you so much for this post at this particular time!
Thank you Linda, I just wish we would be living in happier times and I could write about positive issues, but I felt I had to share these thoughts in these troubled times. Just seconds ago I read breaking news about the destruction of a hospital in Gaza; without knowing any facts or circumstances, the thought of this happening to those being inside makes me sick.
“I mourn equally for a child lost on one side of the fence as I do for one on the other side. In photographs taken during conflict, I witness the same fear and sorrow mirrored on all faces. They are ordinary people, not different from you and me, who simply yearn to live their lives in peace.”
Your words touch me deeply and mirror my own emotions so closely. This is indeed like 9/11 and we are right to understand this tragic event will mark time in our human existence just as 9/11 did. Our global community has been changed with this callous attack and lives on both sides suffer unimaginably. The poignancy of this piece will stay with me a long time I think.
I weep reading your emotional imagery and the memories they revive as well as pain for the present. The grief is incalculable for everyone but especially those suffering in the midst of this horror.
Thank you for the beauty of your walk. It soothes breaking hearts as we grapple to process what we see, read and hear.
And it instills the essential hope to which we must cling to protect our sanity.
"Sadness won from anger." I feel this. Thank you for the lovely, tranquil images. The urge to say more is there but I want only to gaze at lovely, tranquil images. Peace.
Oct 17, 2023·edited Oct 17, 2023Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍
I feel the same, Alexander. At the moment I am more distant from the daily news because I am taking holidays. The shock and sorrow I do get through the bits of news that reach me through the social media and some internet channels has gripped me as well. Thank you for putting words to the way we feel, that helps.
When I was visiting the village of my mother in law I saw a quaint house/shop one evening with the doors open. When we walked in we found a woman meditating with candles, a small statue of Maria and insence. She told us she was doing this for the situation in the Middle East.
That gave me some kind of peace. We can't do anything from where we are and as small as we are. But I think we can meditate of pray and leave it in the hands of a higher power.
Thank you for your testimony written with great sincerity, lucidity and emotion, Alex.
These current events, the acts of terrorism that occurred in our past, have exposed us to significant psychological shocks.
In France, the terrible waves of unprecedented terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015 in Paris,
And the attack of July 14, 2016 in the city of Nice,
have left traces, trauma, with numerous victims and direct witnesses.
But also all the indirect witnesses…
It is the shock of horror occurring during normal life...
These atrocities have now become part of our “collective memory”.
As “indirect witnesses”, being able to include them in the history of our country was for many a way of getting back on the path of life, of distancing themselves from this shock that was too stressful to be experienced on a daily baisis.
But without forgetting these events and paying tribute to all the victims.
I still can’t imagine the strength of resilience that the direct witnesses which were needed (many of whom were treated in special medical facilities providing strong and lasting psychological support).
Hope, as you rightly point out, is surely one of the ways to overcome these shocks, anger and stress to continue moving forward.
Having hope means being both realistic and personally finding strength and confidence.
Thank you, translating these experiences to the millions who are now traumatized on both sides gives some indication of what the world has lost in the past ten days.
No words are enough to comfort the sadness and pain, but every glimpse of beauty can restore courage and peace within the soul. I am embracing the world and your heart. Thank you.
My two 😽😽 are relentlessly wrapping themselves around me as closely as they can. How do they know how much I need them now? Amazing sentient beings. 🕊️
The images and words by you and other now friends give me a sense of community missing in my situation and that is a great comfort. To paraphrase you words, we need hope to live. It is increasingly difficult in the USA where every day brings more assaults on tired minds of news that is tragic, horrific, with the added bonus of MAGA republicans tearing our essential GOP House to shreds, screaming at each other behind closed doors, fraying the delicate threads of Democracy, unable to elect a Speaker so the people’s business can move forward. In another short twelve hours, I am told, a vote will be taken in an attempt to install the worst possible candidate for the job, Gym Jordan. I can do nothing more, having made my citizen’s position known. My fear is the tragedy unfolding in so many areas of conflict will push votes of desperation to the one person who must never be second in line to the presidency. Compounded by the fearless Biden traveling to the mid east on Wednesday to negotiate in person for rational behavior on all sides. His exposure brings fear of assassination and turns my blood cold imagining such a loss and the consequences. My minds’ eye sees dominoes falling and the fear 😰 of ........help me here, you with words so eloquent. What is beyond catastrophic and heartbreaking in my runaway imagination? There is no peace (of mind) until he safely returns. The soul of our nation and planet 🌎 “everything everywhere all at once” is more than I can bear.
It's up to people like you and me (well, all of us in this community) to keep carrying on the fight - even when we are tired. I see our democracy slipping away drip by drip and, I know, it's difficult to sometimes to keep the fire alive to keeping fighting the good fight but we must! Unlike Alex and others, I can no longer climb the mountains I live in and in those times, I get a coffee on my patio, call my Sissy to sit by me and look at the beautiful lake below my house and the autumn colors of the trees lining the banks. Between concentrating on Sissy's purring and the scenery I'm looking at, I find "Hope does spring eternal". You have friends here and we care. Like Alex said previously, I, too, am glad you joined our community.
Of all the Alex Notes, Tweets, posts on The Planet and Patreon I've read and enjoyed, agreed with and learned from over the years, this is the best ever! It is so poignant, comforting and necessary in this troubled world we live in today. Thank you so much for this post at this particular time!
Thank you Linda, I just wish we would be living in happier times and I could write about positive issues, but I felt I had to share these thoughts in these troubled times. Just seconds ago I read breaking news about the destruction of a hospital in Gaza; without knowing any facts or circumstances, the thought of this happening to those being inside makes me sick.
Just saw that blurb as well. Many were worried this would happen. OMG. Have the terrorists no mercy at all?
Suppose that’s what makes them terrorists after all. 💔💔💔
“I mourn equally for a child lost on one side of the fence as I do for one on the other side. In photographs taken during conflict, I witness the same fear and sorrow mirrored on all faces. They are ordinary people, not different from you and me, who simply yearn to live their lives in peace.”
Your words touch me deeply and mirror my own emotions so closely. This is indeed like 9/11 and we are right to understand this tragic event will mark time in our human existence just as 9/11 did. Our global community has been changed with this callous attack and lives on both sides suffer unimaginably. The poignancy of this piece will stay with me a long time I think.
I weep reading your emotional imagery and the memories they revive as well as pain for the present. The grief is incalculable for everyone but especially those suffering in the midst of this horror.
Thank you for the beauty of your walk. It soothes breaking hearts as we grapple to process what we see, read and hear.
And it instills the essential hope to which we must cling to protect our sanity.
Thank you Lizzie. Walking seems to cure a lot of pain, at least temporarily, and gives the brain a break.
Deeply touching. Beautifully written. Lovely images. Hugs all around
Thank you, Evelyne
"Sadness won from anger." I feel this. Thank you for the lovely, tranquil images. The urge to say more is there but I want only to gaze at lovely, tranquil images. Peace.
To be honest, the anger does flare up at moments, but the sadness wins every time in the end.
*nodding solomnly* And an hour ago again more anger *sigh*
I feel the same, Alexander. At the moment I am more distant from the daily news because I am taking holidays. The shock and sorrow I do get through the bits of news that reach me through the social media and some internet channels has gripped me as well. Thank you for putting words to the way we feel, that helps.
When I was visiting the village of my mother in law I saw a quaint house/shop one evening with the doors open. When we walked in we found a woman meditating with candles, a small statue of Maria and insence. She told us she was doing this for the situation in the Middle East.
That gave me some kind of peace. We can't do anything from where we are and as small as we are. But I think we can meditate of pray and leave it in the hands of a higher power.
Wishing you peace in your hearts.
That's beautiful. Thank you Ricardo
P.S. I hope you do get around to writing that book!! Can't wait to read it!
I would love to, at the moment it is still a plan, but nothing concrete yet. I'll keep you posted!
Thank you for your testimony written with great sincerity, lucidity and emotion, Alex.
These current events, the acts of terrorism that occurred in our past, have exposed us to significant psychological shocks.
In France, the terrible waves of unprecedented terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015 in Paris,
And the attack of July 14, 2016 in the city of Nice,
have left traces, trauma, with numerous victims and direct witnesses.
But also all the indirect witnesses…
It is the shock of horror occurring during normal life...
These atrocities have now become part of our “collective memory”.
As “indirect witnesses”, being able to include them in the history of our country was for many a way of getting back on the path of life, of distancing themselves from this shock that was too stressful to be experienced on a daily baisis.
But without forgetting these events and paying tribute to all the victims.
I still can’t imagine the strength of resilience that the direct witnesses which were needed (many of whom were treated in special medical facilities providing strong and lasting psychological support).
Hope, as you rightly point out, is surely one of the ways to overcome these shocks, anger and stress to continue moving forward.
Having hope means being both realistic and personally finding strength and confidence.
Thank you, translating these experiences to the millions who are now traumatized on both sides gives some indication of what the world has lost in the past ten days.
Thanks also for these serene and beautiful pics ! 🙏
Thank you Alexander, for these beautiful, kind and compassionate words. Beautiful Autumn 🍂 images. Hope will keep my heart beating.
For many, hope is now all they've got, and we all need hope now for better times.
No words are enough to comfort the sadness and pain, but every glimpse of beauty can restore courage and peace within the soul. I am embracing the world and your heart. Thank you.
For me, it always helps to find beauty. I think beauty and hope are closely connected.
My two 😽😽 are relentlessly wrapping themselves around me as closely as they can. How do they know how much I need them now? Amazing sentient beings. 🕊️
The images and words by you and other now friends give me a sense of community missing in my situation and that is a great comfort. To paraphrase you words, we need hope to live. It is increasingly difficult in the USA where every day brings more assaults on tired minds of news that is tragic, horrific, with the added bonus of MAGA republicans tearing our essential GOP House to shreds, screaming at each other behind closed doors, fraying the delicate threads of Democracy, unable to elect a Speaker so the people’s business can move forward. In another short twelve hours, I am told, a vote will be taken in an attempt to install the worst possible candidate for the job, Gym Jordan. I can do nothing more, having made my citizen’s position known. My fear is the tragedy unfolding in so many areas of conflict will push votes of desperation to the one person who must never be second in line to the presidency. Compounded by the fearless Biden traveling to the mid east on Wednesday to negotiate in person for rational behavior on all sides. His exposure brings fear of assassination and turns my blood cold imagining such a loss and the consequences. My minds’ eye sees dominoes falling and the fear 😰 of ........help me here, you with words so eloquent. What is beyond catastrophic and heartbreaking in my runaway imagination? There is no peace (of mind) until he safely returns. The soul of our nation and planet 🌎 “everything everywhere all at once” is more than I can bear.
Yes, it is a lot to deal with right now. I'm glad that joining this community brought you new friends all over the world :-)
It's up to people like you and me (well, all of us in this community) to keep carrying on the fight - even when we are tired. I see our democracy slipping away drip by drip and, I know, it's difficult to sometimes to keep the fire alive to keeping fighting the good fight but we must! Unlike Alex and others, I can no longer climb the mountains I live in and in those times, I get a coffee on my patio, call my Sissy to sit by me and look at the beautiful lake below my house and the autumn colors of the trees lining the banks. Between concentrating on Sissy's purring and the scenery I'm looking at, I find "Hope does spring eternal". You have friends here and we care. Like Alex said previously, I, too, am glad you joined our community.
Well said Linda, and enjoy the view of the lake!