The day to day routine is in fact just that...routine. The days melt together into a blur that often feels like a train zipping by me while I sit at the station watching it pass me by. Most days I consider this a true blessing. However, there are moments I find myself in where I am in absolute awe of my surroundings. Little slivers of hope and peace amidst the turmoils surrounding me...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a Tuesday afternoon. The sun had just begun to slowly melt into the horizon. It's warm glow casting a soft golden light on everything in it's path. I was in a humvee driving down the road, window down, breathing it all in. The dust and golden filled air making it's presence known.
As our vehicle was speeding past the infamous crossed swords of Baghdad we saw two helicopters begin their downward descent in order to land on the marching grounds that lay between the crossed swords. The intrigue of the helo's descent was too much for us to bare, so we threw on our blinker, and pulled the Humvee under the swords to witness the landing.
The helicopters touched down flawlessly, and with the military precision that we have come to expect. Instantly a convoy of humvees and up-armored suburbans flew in, gathered their passengers, and were driving off in to the sunset before the helicopter blades had even stopped spinning.
Moments later the whirl of the blades, and the roar of the humvees had faded. Once again the dust, and golden light, filled the air, but this time they were joined by the peaceful sound of silence. For a few moments my friend and I sat there enjoying the silence.
In this moment I could not help but be mindful of something I had read only days before. Adam Duritz, lead singer of the 'Counting Crows', had recently posted a blog entry in which he spoke of a quote from the author Carolyn Forche, which reads... "The silence of God is God."
And, in that moment I could feel the silence wrapping itself around me, embracing my very being. Affirmation that I am here for a reason much larger than myself.
I had my camera by my side so I stepped out of the humvee and began to shoot a few pictures of it all. Memories and snapshots of my minds eye.
At the base of each hand, which hold the crossed swords, Saddam Hussein placed the helmets of Iranian Soldiers who had been killed by his men in the Iraq/Iran war. Many helmets are found pierced with bullet holes, laying there witnesses and reminders of the blood that was shed. Seeing this display of utter disrespect for the lost souls, and Saddam's self-manifested glory shook me to the core.
As the crossed swords are somewhat of an iconic symbol and landmark of Iraq, people flock to the area to have their pictures taken in front of them. A souvenir to take home and to display. However for many, a picture is not enough. Helmets seem to disappear all the time, a war trophy of sorts. Others simply leave messages atop the helmets. Handwritten reminders to those who come behind them, letting them know they were here.
People are funny that way. Always trying to leave a piece of themselves to bare witness they took part in this legacy of war. In the end, once everything is stripped away and only our true self remains, I believe we all want the same thing. We all want to be remembered. To be memorialized. To know that our time here on earth was not spent in vain, and to know that our life meant something.
I am no different. Nor do I think anyone else is for that matter.
In the end we all turn to ghosts.
Ghosts of witness...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things are going well for me. We have been attacked several times lately. This is to be expected as we enter the Holiday season. Nothing says Happy Holidays like a car bomb, or mortar round. Regardless, I am still safe and pressing on. Working long hours and getting things taken care of.
Attached you will find pictures of the scene from the story above. Or shall I say, I am going to try and attach the pictures! Hopefully, it will work for me.
I appreciate everyones thoughts, prayers, and care packages that I have received. They are greatly appreciated! It certainly does not feel like the holidays when I am apart from the people I love. However, I am still forever thankful for all of you, and everything that you bring into my life. I am truly blessed.
I hope that everyone has had a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend. I promise to try and do better about posting here more often. I often begin to write, but somehow always get distracted by the never ending work that needs tending to.
I'd also like to ask everyone to keep my parents and their fellow companions in your prayers as they are embarking on their mission trip to Nepal. They are all doing great work over there! May they have a safe and productive trip.
Until next time my friends...
No comments:
Post a Comment