Winks Blog

Iraqi Mothers Day On The Horizon

Good morning,

As I approach the first full year anniversary of this blog, I continue to feel saddened. Every single day horrific murders grip the people, like an ever spanning steel grey cloud covering, strangling the soul. The most conservative estimate says that about 35,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the US occupied Iraq. We all know that this figure is VERY low.

I reflect back now, one year later, on the very first article I posted on May 4, 2005. I asked in this article if we are "numbified". Have I become numbified though this process of near daily posting? In no way do I feel numbified, however I do feel a bit "routinized" if there such a word. I wake up, make coffee, feed the dog, have an English muffin, and then skim over the headline news. I find the information that relate to the subject upon which I am predominately focused, Iraqi deaths, and then post the article. That is my routine. That is how I usually start off the day.

Every day I begin my blog with a " Good Morning ".... Because you know what? We are having a good morning. Even if you just had the worst night of your life, your morning is good compared to what the Iraqi's have. It's OK, you're still entitled to moan and groan that your coffee is a little too bitter, or that the guy forgot to drop off your paper, or that you woke up with bug bites or whatever! My intention is to not make myself feel bad for possibly feeling bad one morning (Self inflicted guilt), or for others to feel like their bad morning really isn't all that bad compared to the Iraqis.

My intention is:

* To honor Iraqi Civilians in my own way by always be mindful of and continue to shine the light on the Iraqi condition (Which is often lost in the news),
* Share my personal thoughts and observations when possible,
* Appreciate everything and take nothing for granted.

You are going to think I'm a crack pot (well maybe you already think I am), but every day, I say thank you outloud to something other than a person. For example if I'm out on a beautiful trail, I'll thank the mountains for being there and thank the universe for allowing me to enjoy the time right there in that space. Folks, we have it good, very good.

Last year, I honored Iraqi women with proclaiming May 6, Iraqi Mother's Day. I am looking forward writing that special post in just a few days.

Today, Iraqi women in the majority, rallied against the insurgency, outside the Green Zone. A couple of (one civilian and one military) men briefly came outside with notepads writing down their demands. They demanded that U.S. and Iraqi forces do more to stop insurgent attacks in the capital and help Iraqis who are fleeing their homes because of sectarian violence (Est. 100,000 have had to relocate).

I was so glad to hear that the women are speaking up and demanding to be heard.
Very brave women.

Have a good day, and thank you.

posted by Wink @ 10:06 AM