Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Fear and Sadness this morning

My "O" post for ABC Wednesday was to focus on the word OLD in the most positive  sense, but right now, after learning of a shooting this morning in Ottawa, my heart is full of fear and sadness.  Fear for my sister who lives in Ottawa with her family (though she has confirmed they are safe, she at home with her grandson while her son, daughter and husband remain in lockdown), and heartbreak for the family and friends of.. 
the young soldier/reservist killed as he stood guarding the National War Memorial.  As I write, the situation is ongoing, with at least one killer believed to be still on the loose and Ottawa schools and offices in lockdown.
 These photos were taken two years ago when I visited at Christmas time.

I do not have solutions to lessen the anger around us.  All I can do is reach out to the things that comfort me and that I hope will help to soothe aching hearts today ..  love and laughter with family and friends, knowledge that most around us want only to live in peace, music that calms, art that stimulates and inspires, gifts of pets, wildlife and nature.

The other photos in this post were loaded yesterday.  A lithograph in an art book at Harrison Galleries by graphic artist, Charles Dana Gibson had the title, "Never Too Old To Yearn" and that made me smile yesterday.  This morning, its poignance as I contemplate that thought hits home.  One young man has forfeited the privilege of growing old even as he did his best to guard a memorial to others who also lost their lives too young.  I hope those of us who do have the opportunity to grow old will never stop yearning, and will continue for as long as we are able to do what we can to make the world a happier place. 

I took this photo last evening to share with my sister.  This plant was on the window sill in my mother's Montreal apartment.  When she died, my sister and I walked through her rooms and  I took a few small slips from the plant to bring back to Vancouver on the plane with me.  The plant was neglected at times in the years after that, but I have always made sure to keep at least a few slips rooting.  That connection is important to me. 
My thanks is extended to Mrs. Nesbitt who started ABC Wednesday and to the team of volunteers who keep it running.  We can never underestimate the power of bringing people from across the world together.  Stay safe, my friends.  Thank you for stopping by. 

14 comments:

  1. i do feel for the soldier's family. bless them and all affected.

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  2. It is impossible to know what those families, who have lost loved ones to terrorism, go through. It is up to each and everyone of us to cherish our lives and live them to the full.

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  3. My prayers go out to the soldier's family and the people of Ottawa. I hope you sister and her family remain safe.. Thanks for sharing this post.

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  4. Yes … what a shock even though perhaps it should not have been. My heart goes out to the families of the lost soldiers in Ottawa and Montreal. We wish such lunacy did not exist and yet sadly it does.

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  5. It is a sad day, Carol. My husband called me from work to tell me what was going on. He knew I would be buried in writing and unaware. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the dead and wounded. So much hate. I can't control it, and I have to focus on the fact that there are so many good and decent human beings around the world. I've spent too many lockdowns with frightened third graders, so my heart also goes out to the teachers, the RCMP, all the people working to resolve this terrorist situation. And to kill a young soldier near the war memorial ~ what hate and desire to do harm that reflects. I'm glad that your family is okay. I have good friends who live very close to Parliament, but I think they are okay. I'm sure I would have heard otherwise. Take care. fight back in a small but powerful way with you lovely blog and sweet Black Jack.

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  6. I was so sad and shocked to hear of the shootings in the news this morning. Praying for comfort for the families affected and peace for Canadians.

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  7. A dreadful day, so sad for the families who have lost their loved ones. I have only the utmost love and respect for our Canadian neighbors and my prayers go out tonight.

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  8. Being Canadian my heart is heavy. Especially so, as I am also a Hamiltonian. Our city mourns with Ottawa.

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  9. This is a sad day for Canada. In the midst of this horror though, some wonderfully, ordinary Canadians stepped forward into danger to provide comfort at a time when it was most needed. Courage and kindness are some of the values upon which this country was built. As we mourn the senseless losses of Corporal Nathan Frank Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, I hope we can go forward with those Canadian values in mind.

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  10. Hello Carol. It is events like the past few days that bring us all together. It is good to be here again.
    Beautiful photos of the War Memorial in Ottawa.....very moving to see up close after yesterday's shootings.
    Your mother's plant reaffirms that life must go on......as it ought to.

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  11. It is so sad. I heard your PM on the radio.
    Even more sad, such violence is so common in the US, I don't think it'd have the same impact.

    ROG, ABCW

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  12. So sorry to hear of the tragedy up there. The world is full of angry -- and misguided--people. But is also full of wonderfully kind and gentle people who believe in our old fashioned values. It seems to me that all we who care can do is live out our gentle values one person at a time, one day at a time.

    Great news! Haley had her first hamburger and fries yesterday and relished every last crumb!

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  13. The world seems to have gone mad.

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  14. I share your and the Nation's grief.
    Such a futile waste of bright young lives,
    serving their Country.
    May they Rest In Peace.

    Sincere condolences to all concerned.
    Diane Westwell
    ABCW team.

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