This is not the post I originally intended …
When I went to prepare a post for the 1st anniversary of DWB, I found myself pausing, rewriting.
When I went to prepare this post for the celebration of 2007, again, I found myself editing.
Everyone who lives, marks their time on this earth with events. Like others, I’ve made a note of various marks along the way. Some are personal, some public, some minor, some not.
As a young girl I experienced the great earthquake in Alaska. It’s gone down in history as an ‘event’. My personal experiences from the earthquake included the loss of my cat Boots (family pets took off the week before), the death of my Aunt Barbara (she gave her seat on the plane to those ‘more needy’), being scared of the bears who came down from the mountains, and the frustration with the evacuated family who came to stay (and stay and stay).
Fast forward to Boxing Day 2004. It was the week I moved to Thailand. It was the week the horror of the Tsunami shocked us all. The week where the world stuck to the tube like glue. The week where we all came together in disbelief and grief.
Now we come to 2007. A very early 2007. So early, at the time of this post, I’m watching my digital turn 3.40am. Yeah, I can’t sleep.
From where I live now in Thailand, on New Years Eve, several hours ago, several streets to my left, a bomb(?) went off. Several streets to my right, another. Deaths were included, but not the massive numbers of the Tsunami.
Ok, maybe this is not shocking to the world, but it’s shocking to me. It’s a mark in my world. It’s here for me. Right here.
You see, I can give them both a name. To my left is the Big C, the grocery store I dislike even when in need. Where a grenade was dropped. One dead. To my right, at Victory Monument, is my fav Jazz bar. Also bloodied. Two reported dead.
What I’m trying to say in a long winded, very tired way, is that, once again, I’ll forgo describing a milestone until much later.
Yes, saying ‘Have a happy bomb this New Year’ just doesn’t have the same ring as what I’d intended, so I’ll take a pause to mark this event at a later time, in a different manner, and leave this as is.
Technorati Tags: bangkok, bombing, new years eve
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Ok, maybe this is not shocking to the world, but it’s shocking to me. It’s a mark in my world. It’s here for me. Right here.
You see, I can give them both a name.
That is beautiful wiritng.
These are thoughts worth recording and keeping. Thank you for it.
Thank you for your kind words Liz. It was a strange event to go through. Life keeps getting stranger and I keep wondering what’s next.
It is shocking. Although the world is becoming a bit numb to all the deaths and destructions happening around us, I think every individual death is shocking. Cat, you’ve seen your shares of natural and man-made catastrophes. I hope the sequence ends with the last one. I know you have tons of it, but I wish you lots of strength. And you’re definitely lucky to be still able to write here :-).
Amrit,
You are so right. We are starting to become numb to the daily news bombarding us. In South Thailand, bombings and deaths are commonplace, but it’s mostly unheard of in Bangkok. Sad that at one length of a country, a similar tragic happening is barely heard or discussed, yet this one makes the rounds internationally.
Thank you for the wishes of strength. I do have a bit in reserve but I’m not sure how strong I’d be if I, or someone I was close to, was in the midst of one of those blasts.
But here’s to 2007, may it be better than … well, just better than its beginning.
cat
Hi Cat,
I’m sorry to hear about the bombing. Your words touched me. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
Sandy
Hi cat – *hug* I don’t know you but I feel the overwhelming urge to say “I love you” for the simple fact that you are a fellow human being…
Sandy and Jessica, thank you for dropping by with your kind words.
I’m looking out into sunshine at the moment and it looks pretty good. For now. The fireworks going off yesterday sounded suspiciously like bombs, but with a lack of sirens I guess it was just nerves.