This photo was taken after Mattie got back home from his School's Fall Festival in 2007. Mattie absolutely loved this Festival, because about a month into his school year (at a new school), he already had a band of friends. Mattie and his buddies hung out together at the Festival and did face painting, crafts, and the moon bounce. It was wonderful to see Mattie in his element and enjoying his new school. Since he was very hesitant, bordering on resistant to leave his preschool. Mattie's elementary school's mascot is 'the Saints,' which is why you see that painted on his face.
Quote of the day: The whole world can become the enemy when you lose what you love. ~ Kristina McMorris
I was out and about today and came into contact with many people. The majority of whom were talking about Halloween. Again, I am not sure why I am stunned that no one was talking about the terror attack in NYC, but it caught my attention. The question is why? For the purposes of this blog, let's remove politics from this discussion. Because my interests are more focused on society being free to discuss loss, trauma, and tragedy. When we think of 9/11 or the second largest terror attack in NYC (as of yesterday), what do we typically hear coming out of people's mouths? New York is STRONG! 'New York comes back bigger and better than before.' 'We will be vigilant, so something like this doesn't happen again!' As if New York or any city is invincible. All I know is if a loved one of mine was killed yesterday for a senseless reason, I am not sure I would find such rhetoric helpful or comforting. In fact, as tonight's quote points out..... when you lose a loved one (as sane and rational as you maybe), the world does become your enemy.
Just like with childhood cancer, we really do not want to focus upon the pervasive tragedies occurring in our cities around the Country. These tragedies aren't occurring once in a blue moon, but unfortunately on a regular basis. With their frequency and the excessive media coverage, I notice that we become complacent and are resided with the fact that this is normal. That this is how the 21st century is and we might as well go on living our lives. Certainly we want to continue on with our lives, because living in fear only makes us a victim and gives the perpetrator of such crimes power. Power to destroy all the things we hold to be true and just. But there is a fine line of moving on and forgetting. We shouldn't forget that with each one of these acts of terror, lives are taken and families are forever changed. So many went trick or treating last night and carried on with life as normal today, when the lives of several of our fellow Americans have been devastated. Terror is like cancer. It is slow growing, but can decimate communities, lives, families, friendships, and our overall way of life. Yet just like cancer, key issues are NOT addressed and confronted..... and when it comes down to it, similar to cancer, terrorists really do not care what political party you are a part of or whether you are a good and community minded person. The main goal of a terrorist, which is reminiscent of cancer, is to destroy as many people (or health cells) as possible.
I have noticed whenever I am around people who have suffered a loss or a trauma, they find it easy to talk to me. While others are running the other way, I am walking toward the issue. Forward because it is only when we confront the feelings we are left with from cancer or any kind of trauma, are we able to find a way to carry on, find meaning in our lives, and re-engage with the world. We are really missing something by not feeling comfort to talk about the sadness, the unhappy aspects of life, and connect with others around these feelings. It is those emotional connections that enable us to be stronger not only as individuals but as a society.
The photos you see were pumpkins one of Mattie's nurses posted on Facebook. The nurses decorated the unit for the children and families in the hospital. Very creative, no?
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