Tragedy

Tragedy comes unexpectedly, like a train speeding toward us with no signal and we are struck if not physically than emotionally. That is where our family has been placed for the first week of this new year 2007. Gathered together in a display of support. We share meals, light conversation, take short walks. We listen intently to each other with a deeper intuition of shared views and opinions expressed. We wash dishes, play with the baby, help the other children with schoolwork. These are all efforts to maintain normalcy in our lives that have been shaken by the unexpected, the unimagined, the unfathomable act of one deeply troubled man. In the midst of these activities Nana is asked by the three year old to play. I tell her, in a moment, for I am helping Mama. She calls to me again and I realize she is more important than my task at hand. Sitting at the table together we shape play dough of different colors. A pumpkin with green growth that looks like magnificent flowers to me and I praise her excessively. Lets make something else she cheerfully exclaims. We make a blue bunny rabbit and her smile is infectious. "What can we make now? " I pause, well we could make a bowling ball. We both look a bit confused and she says," but I don't know how." I will show you, is my reply. Somehow we decide that if we take a new paper plate and place the clay bowling ball upon it we can create a race track; additional clay spheres are required and made. With a slight tilt of the plate the circles appear to chase each other about the rim of the dish. Peels of laughter explode and a house draped in sadness is filled with the sounds of childish joy and the magic of laughter. Nana and her three year old granddaughter ignite positive energies, ripples of playfulness; unaware of the soothing balm we place upon the heavy air. Every one's spirits are lifted if only for a short time. We have been given a heavenly gift of joyfulness and hope.

written by Pauline January 6, 2007
copyright 2007