Good afternoon friends, my heart is heavy today. I wasn’t going to write a post today but I could not sit and let the word events go un-noted. The earthquake in Haiti, raging fires across the U.S, flash floods in Arizona and the minute by minute horror unfolding in Afghanistan. I have been glued to my computer this weekend watching the updates in Afghanistan. I cannot believe that in what seems like the blink of an eye, 20 years of fighting, war, death, destruction and some progress, especially for women has been wiped out. Over the last 10 days the Taliban marched across Afghanistan taking over towns and cities and leaving death and destruction in their wake. Watching people run for their lives with everything they own on their backs to try to outrun these terrorists, people storming the Kabul airport and rushing onto the tarmac clinging to whatever piece of the aircraft they can and then falling to their death because taking a risk like that(knowing that death probable) but preferable to living with under the rules of the Taliban.
In another image the beautiful faces of Afghan women smiling from large photos in the window of of shop in Kabul were being whitewashed, literally erased, as if they didn’t exist. A metaphor for the future of the women of Afghanistan; who have suffered so much over the history of this country and over the last few years have been able to emerge and earn and get an education, to become lawyers, doctors, professors and politicians to make changes for the lives of women and children and to live their dreams.
I am heartbroken for the loss of their dreams and hopes for a better life and I am trying to be hopeful that the world will not turn their backs on the people but in particular the women and children who seem to suffer the most. Today the people of Afghanistan are in my prayers and I am saying extra ones for the women and girls. You will not be forgotten.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The events of the past couple of days are hard to process. They are not only horrifying in their own rights, but also because of what they may prefigure: so much is in flux on the international and domestic scenes, the lives of so many will be impacted, yet, what are we to do? Praying and hoping the domino effect that some are predicting will not happen and some peace may follow soon.
You are not the only one concerned. Courage to all!
Val, I fear that the future is going to be more horrific than we can imagine both here in the US and over there. The withdrawal of our troops and the failure of the Afghan military to hold off the Taliban will have ripple effects all over the world, in fact it already is.
Unfortunately, you are most likely right.
So well said. Yes, prayers for all involved in this terrible time. I can’t help thinking of a line from the musical Miss Saigon ( how relevant) “Christ, we are Americans…how can we fail to do good” ?
Ann, that line from Miss Saigon…sadly we failed there and we failed in Afghanistan.
JUST SO SAD.
HORRIFIC ACTUALLY!
IT is Elizabeth, it. is.
I share your prayers. My husband is a retired Veteran who did two tours and it truly is a heartbreaking situation. The MLK quote is so inspirational and uplifting. Thank you!
Laura, I thank you husband for all of his time, effort and work to help make the world a better place with his time in the military.
Hi Elizabeth,
It’s nice you have taken time out to share your thoughts on the mess that we are in and the profound affect it’s had on us. You have a heart of gold, take care of yourself.
Katherine you are very kind. Take care of yourself.
So incredibly heartbreaking.
Shelley
It is.
Thank you for sharing your heart. Grieving with you.
I see this every day on the news and am lost for words!
I am as well Jayne.
What is going on in Afganistan is horrific. It is hard to watch the news.
It is so sad.
Heavy heart these days. I just read an article about an interview with a Afghan pastor. The few believers are literally headed for the hills They are marked and hunted based on a reported Tailban list. Tragic and praying for their protection and coninued strenthning by Him in their faith and hope. Wisdom to o as they flee
Linda, I have all of these people in my prayers. I cannot believe this has happed after 20 years.
Thank you for sharing. I cannot get this off of my mind either, there is so much heartbreak in the world and I feel helpless in the wake of it all. Love to you <3
I could not agree with you more.
This is horrible and horrific. Our soldiers gave up so much and now it was for nothing.
I can’t watch this it’s heartbreaking
It is so sad and makes me angry and sad.
It is horrific. My heart goes out to them.
Brenda
Brenda, it is horrific, and I cannot imagine what they are going thru nor how we can help them.
This is just so terrible. I don’t know why people can’t just live and let live. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you Carol. It is so very sad.