DeeEl's Mo Chroí Scríofa

Nodar Kumaritashvili ~ Georgia

Yesterday, I was in Second Life hosting a Celtic gig at my pub when the corner of my eye caught sight of the news.  The report was telling of a fatality which had occurred during a practice for the luge in the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver.  I quickly turned on the volume of my television to listen and advised everyone of the accident.  I did not catch which country the man was from but noted there had already been a dozen accidents, but this was the first fatality.  In fact, Nodar Kumaritshvili’s death marks the first fatality in the winter games since 1992 and the first fatality in the luge during the winter games since 1964.  One of the patrons in the pub told me that the man was from Georgia.  I just watched in wonder as the reporter completed his story.

I was already planning to watch the opening ceremonies as they are my favorite part (I will write about the reason for that later).  The chatter with the reporters covering the games was whether or not the Georgian’s would remain for the games and if so, would they even participate in the ceremonies hours following the death of their teammate.  I forced myself to stay up waiting and watching.  It was mesmerizing watching the Georgian athletes walk into the arena and being greeted with a standing ovation.  Each of the delegation wore a black armband and there was a single black ribbon attached to their flag.  I sat wiping the tears from my eyes as I looked at each of the Georgian’s displayed on the screen.  I re-watched that segment today as I had taped the ceremonies to watch in their entirety.  Again I was struck by the entire situation and the words which had been brewing in my mind began to spill out.  Here, I place the verse in memory of Mr. Kumaritshvili and to honor his family, friends and teammates.

Georgia

Stepping through the arch
Somber, still, brave
Your flag, it is draped
With a lone ebon tie
The thin veil of hope on your face
Does very little to hide the
Deep pain bleeding within
There were those who wondered
Would you stay?  Or would you go?
Many, they did doubt
This festive walk you would take
When your journey began
Your number, it was nine
Then fate stepped in on
A wretched, deadly curve
Now, with one slipped away
He continues on,
a different journey he must take
You, now face the world
His name to make known
When you fly, when you glide
His memory will go with you
You were, after all,
One solid crew
Never destroyed, ever renewed
You are Georgian through and through.

February 13, 2010
© DL Bach

Devastation In Haiti

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck the country of Haiti leaving devastation in its wake.  This is the first earthquake of this magnitude to hit the country in a century.  I have, watched passively the news casts containing graphic photos of the pain and destruction.  I spent a week in Haiti back in 1989.  During this week I celebrated my 24^th birthday.  While I did not go to Haiti to celebrate my birthday, it was an added bonus while I was there.  One of the shots shown on the news was the, now flattened, National Palace.  I looked away fast as tears began to well up in my eyes.  I remembered the day I took this photograph of that same National Palace.  Now it is rubble.

There have been so many thoughts going through my mind the past week since the story first broke of the earthquake.  I think about other natural disasters in recent history around the world.  I think about the loss.  And yes, I think about the time I spent there all those years ago.  I fortify my thoughts by looking through my scrapbook and remembering as if it were last week I was there.  As I look, listen and remember I find myself experiencing a wide range of emotions as well.  Sadness and heartbreak for all those who are there or have loved ones there.  I also feel relief as I know it could have been much worse.

The other emotion that seems to have taken over is anger.  Not because this happened, but anger over the reactions of some Americans.  I can understand they are grieving as their loved ones were there when the earthquake struck and have still not been found.  My issue is with them thinking and crying out as if American lives are of more value than other lives around the world.  There are still many Canadians, Europeans and especially Haitians unaccounted for.  There are over 100 UN staffers missing as well.  I hear the pleas of Americans begging the President of the United States to do everything possible to find the missing Americans.  Why are their lives more valuable?  From what I have seen in news reports the world around is sending aid in some form or fashion to try to find the missing and bring comfort and relief to the rest of the country.  There is nothing more that can be done than is already being done.

Human life is human life.  One life is not of more value than any other.  Narrow mindedness breeds resentment.  It is okay to grieve and want your loved ones back safely, but when you believe they are more important than another persons loved one, you make way for resentment.  I hope they find all those who are missing no matter their skin color, religion or nationality.  Hold good thoughts for all those who are missing, those who are injured, those who died and all their loved ones around the world.  Remember Haiti in all her beauty and splendor.  Like the grandeur found in this, the oldest church in Haiti.