I need a safe word, some set of syllables I can cry out when the bombing and shooting and screaming of children become too much; when the slaughter of the innocents spills over the top and drowns the world in tears; when the duplicity of the international political class threatens to commandeer all of the available oxygen.
I was hoping to offer that safe word, but I have none. What is happening is heartbreaking and too much to bear. I am filled with tears as I watch man's inhumanity to man perpetuated over and over. When it gets overwhelming, I listen to the song "The Prayer."
I'm not sure I know the song you're referring to but music certainly plays a great part in healing. It's an essential part of what makes us human and serves to remind us of our humanity. Being together, even by sharing what we're feeling online, is also crucial.
This is heartbreaking and too huge, so then I take comfort in the one petal of your delphinium. Alan and I have a safe place that makes it all possible. It is where we sit in our living room at night and share dessert, a glass of wine, and watch a show that offers us temporary peace.
Thinking of you two and the perspective you bring growing up in South Africa. Reading your comment, I'm reminded that our response to the blood-soaked hugeness of what is going on in the world is held in the small, intimacies of our lives. The more I/we get in touch with our fragile humanity, the more we can feel for those in terrible danger on the other side of the world.
I love the "conversations" you have with your readers, with me, Susie. So many "faces of God." And once more I am at a loss for words to describe my horror about those suffering, and my inestimable concern for them.
It's important that we don't conflate being at a loss for words with indifferent silence. So many people are feeling so much but not wanting to just throw language at it for fear of cheapening the depth of their experience. I think this is especially true for Jews in the diaspora because of the mind-boggling complexity of their relation to history.
I like what James Francis wrote on substack... "Right now, the brain is capable of processing the social information of a small town." We haven't evolved to the point where we can reasonably be expected to take in the enormity of the horror. People have a range of tolerance and a range of responses, but basically we're all doubled over in pain.
My heart breaks for the world, for the indefatigable wars and horrors and atrocities we perpetrate on one another and other beings. I love this idea of a safe word. Words are powerful mantras and sometimes the only thing we can hold on to is the idea that there is more than we can see, that it is important for us to live and find joy and bliss even while (maybe especially while) others are suffering. If I don't believe this, I will drown in desperation for a world that is different than the one we live in. Sinding you some big love in these devastating times. Thank you for writing about how you're living through them.❤ Also did you see this post? You might find some solace there. https://oldster.substack.com/p/singing-through-the-apocalypse?utm_campaign=reaction&utm_medium=email&utm_source=substack&utm_content=post
Thank you, Jocelyn. There's a gorgeous message from Survivors and Family of the Victims of the Hamas Massacre that has been put out by Breaking the Silence that rejects vengeance. It came across my Facebook feed but I wasn't able to generate a link. These people are saying that they have experienced a nightmare but will not sign on to further violence. Very moving.
Also thanks for the link from Sari Botton. It's a good conversation to be having....exchanging ideas for keeping one's head above water in these very dark times.
What does it mean to be human indeed! Even many of our current day political pundits are getting around to this ultimate question. Wishing you a safe place, a time out from all the tragedy.
Hi Susie,
The Prayer was written by Carol Bayer Sager and sung by many duos. My favorite version is the one by Celine Dion and Josh Groban. Here is a link to the lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/celinedion/theprayer.html.
Thanks, Janice. I appreciate the offering.
I was hoping to offer that safe word, but I have none. What is happening is heartbreaking and too much to bear. I am filled with tears as I watch man's inhumanity to man perpetuated over and over. When it gets overwhelming, I listen to the song "The Prayer."
I'm not sure I know the song you're referring to but music certainly plays a great part in healing. It's an essential part of what makes us human and serves to remind us of our humanity. Being together, even by sharing what we're feeling online, is also crucial.
This is heartbreaking and too huge, so then I take comfort in the one petal of your delphinium. Alan and I have a safe place that makes it all possible. It is where we sit in our living room at night and share dessert, a glass of wine, and watch a show that offers us temporary peace.
Thinking of you two and the perspective you bring growing up in South Africa. Reading your comment, I'm reminded that our response to the blood-soaked hugeness of what is going on in the world is held in the small, intimacies of our lives. The more I/we get in touch with our fragile humanity, the more we can feel for those in terrible danger on the other side of the world.
I love the "conversations" you have with your readers, with me, Susie. So many "faces of God." And once more I am at a loss for words to describe my horror about those suffering, and my inestimable concern for them.
It's important that we don't conflate being at a loss for words with indifferent silence. So many people are feeling so much but not wanting to just throw language at it for fear of cheapening the depth of their experience. I think this is especially true for Jews in the diaspora because of the mind-boggling complexity of their relation to history.
Agreed.
I can’t find a word. But I’ve read your memories of the carousel and the (old) planetarium several times. They soothe, thank you.
Appreciate your noting that it was the old Planetarium that I was talking about. A true Upper West Sider. Glad you're comforted by these memories.
No end to the heartbreak. No safe place to be Jewish in the world. Don't read, watch, or listen to the news.
I like what James Francis wrote on substack... "Right now, the brain is capable of processing the social information of a small town." We haven't evolved to the point where we can reasonably be expected to take in the enormity of the horror. People have a range of tolerance and a range of responses, but basically we're all doubled over in pain.
My heart breaks for the world, for the indefatigable wars and horrors and atrocities we perpetrate on one another and other beings. I love this idea of a safe word. Words are powerful mantras and sometimes the only thing we can hold on to is the idea that there is more than we can see, that it is important for us to live and find joy and bliss even while (maybe especially while) others are suffering. If I don't believe this, I will drown in desperation for a world that is different than the one we live in. Sinding you some big love in these devastating times. Thank you for writing about how you're living through them.❤ Also did you see this post? You might find some solace there. https://oldster.substack.com/p/singing-through-the-apocalypse?utm_campaign=reaction&utm_medium=email&utm_source=substack&utm_content=post
Thank you, Jocelyn. There's a gorgeous message from Survivors and Family of the Victims of the Hamas Massacre that has been put out by Breaking the Silence that rejects vengeance. It came across my Facebook feed but I wasn't able to generate a link. These people are saying that they have experienced a nightmare but will not sign on to further violence. Very moving.
Also thanks for the link from Sari Botton. It's a good conversation to be having....exchanging ideas for keeping one's head above water in these very dark times.
I'll see if I can find it. Thank you for mentioning it. Lots of love to you.
What does it mean to be human indeed! Even many of our current day political pundits are getting around to this ultimate question. Wishing you a safe place, a time out from all the tragedy.
It is a time for confronting the very biggest questions. All while trying to breathe deeply together.