A Trigger for Grief

It was a beautiful day here in Chicago. I attended a final planning meeting at 8:30 AM for the Oct27.org peace march being held in Chicago on Saturday. I will march with the Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) contingent. We will have two speakers, a woman representing the national organization, and a Goldstar Mother (lost a child in Iraq). I felt pretty good although I did little work for this march except be the contact with the group and finding MFSO speakers.

When I came home I opened the email and found this http://www.codepink4peace.org/ This is a famous womanled peace group-nominated for the Nobel Peace prize. I met the leaders while at WR. If you check the website you will see a woman with blood on her hands confronting C. Rice. I looked at the photo and burst into tears. How I saw the blood of war as I met wounded soldier after soldier at Walter Reed and their grieving families (See Captjason.blogspot.com) I am sure Condalezza Rice does not ever think about or feel the pain caused by war. My soul was shaken by this powerful image.

I ate lunch and knew I had to be outdoors to "let nature heal me." I drove to Lakeshore and headed to the Montrose Bird Sanctuary, a favorite spot of mine. Lake Michigan was gray and white caps crashed into the shore. I walked near the lake for a half hour and my soul was restored. The waves, the pounding of war, against the image of ourselves. The USA has 2 bullets per person 600 million bullets. We are the most violent nation in history. Our weapons the focus of our technological development. We are death bringers selling weapons to both sides in many instances. This war has cost over $600 billion. I weep for my grandchildren. What kind of a world are we leaving for future generations? Who will stop this madness of violence.

I sent out an email to the family asking if they wanted old photos/slides. I have 5 boxes to sort and hope to get to them in December. I have speaking engagements in November and a week with my family in Detroit in November. Looking forward to time away. Then a quiet December as I won't be able to join my grandkids in Tampa as Dow will be with them.