Thursday, December 20, 2012

Healing

I was chatting with a friend and the topic of Newtown Ct came up. We both agreed that the news coverage was beginning to be a little too much for either of us. The tragedy and sadness of that event cannot be overstated, as all would agree. A" national discussion" on Gun control and Mental health is indeed warranted and completely necessary. Actions need to be taken. It is just the continued showing of the tragic events, and the rehashing of all the details of that event, that I feel should be discontinued. To what end is this being done other than to satisfy the ratings ? Memorial events and the names of the victims should be shown and shown often.
I can only speak from my own experience. And my experience is that healing comes in silence. It does not come in the glare of spotlights and sad melodies. Healing comes from within. Whatever has caused the grief and strife usually comes with much bluster,chaos and noise. Its' arrival marked by lamentations. The continued probing of the wound does little to heal. Healing arrivals slowly and in silence. A quiet acceptance of circumstance we cannot change.
I along with the rest of the nation wish nothing but healing for those left behind. May they find comfort and acceptance. It is my wish the media will not interfere with that healing. Their continued probing of the wound and the possible effects, can be somewhat of a self fulfilling prophecy. We must allow the emotions to settle before healing can begin. Attempting to speak about the unspeakable is a fruitless endeavor.
Those effected by this tragedy need no reminders. The events of that day are forever burned into their consciousness. To continually revisit that pain does no good. We must never forget but gain a quiet acceptance. We must move forever forward in the hope of a better future. 

2 comments:

  1. Healing like other topics you cover is a complex thing. The 24/7 news coverage will burn itself out like the embers of a trash fire; the garbage will have to be consumed in the flames of time. The glare of national attention is simply the grief of nation trying to find expression or understanding. It doesn't add one bit to the healing process for those directly affected; the rest of us are only distant witnesses in time and place. Those in most need of healing will have long silence slowly in their acceptance of the circumstance. They will arrive at understandings that will not be shared and promulgated by the media. As occurs in all of our individual experiences healing of some sort will come individually each in their own way with a commonality of acceptance. Silence is the only way to arrive at that healing and as is said Time heals all wounds. The problem of healing is the scars left by the process. The media will continue to speak (that is their thing) about the unspeakable; its just the noise of the wind during a storm; it will pass. The emotions will settle on the tombstones but the healing will vary with scars that each of the families will carry forever. Those affected are above the reminders provided gratuitously by the media. They inhabit a terrible space where no one can add nor detract the memories or consecration of their beloved.

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  2. Remember when we were children and we'd pick at scabs or continue to scratch mosquito bites? We'd hear, "don't pick at that, you'll make it sore." Continuing to do so might cause infections. I feel that way about the non-stop reporting of the sad, horrific news. We are all affected...but the continuance causes 'infection' for the country...hatred, depression, and possible recurrance by others who are looking for the same sort of 'fame.' Just my opinion, as I remember the victims and their families.

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