On 9/11/2001, as the news flashed across the world that the Towers had been hit, we had just finished a guided tour through Ephesus on our final day of a two-week tour in Turkey. A clergy sister and I were co-leading a group of twenty-six people. We were to sleep in Izmir that night and fly home to Seattle the following day. Instead, because of worldwide flight cancellations due to closed air space over the entire United States, we were the guests of Turkish Air for our room and board in a hotel in Istanbul as we waited out five days until airspace re-opened. I was stunned at the outpouring of care and grief shown to us during our extended stay. The manager of our hotel placed a letter of condolence with a Gerber Daisy on each guest’s bed. Turkish people crossed the streets or the stores to express their grief for our loss. Iran held the first candlelight vigil with other countries quickly following suit. The outpouring of support and solidarity with the United States was beyond anything I had experienced. It felt as if the world wrapped its arms around us in mourning and solidarity. As the deaths and the nationalities of the dead began to be reported and counted, much of the globe—over 90 countries—had been represented. I was dismayed that in the United States, the rallying cry became “God Bless America,” flanked by the American flag. Yes, the horrid, physical damage took place on US soil, but the loss of life had been a global tragedy, not only a United States tragedy. As the stunned world was again reminded about the great price of hateful aggression and the precious gift of life, I thought how fitting it would be for the rallying cry to be, “God bless the World,” flanked by a World Flag—the mesmerizing blue marble from space—image taken by astronauts in space. Now, in 2020, once again we are faced with a calamity of unprecedented danger and loss of life as all of humanity—every nook and cranny of every nation and location—is at risk from COVID-19. Once again, we witness a time of shared grief and perhaps this time—more than ever before—we glimpse at what it means to be part of all humanity and one world. Stories of compassion and generosity across boundaries provide stunning images of solidarity on this common canvas of tragedy. Ireland sent supplies to US Native American reservations in appreciation for support sent them generations ago during a famine. Scientists across the globe are sharing their empirical studies, as the common goal, a lifesaving vaccine, is key to ebbing the tide of illness and death. Meanwhile we reach out to friends, neighbors, and relatives as they face this new challenge. We welcome the kind outreach extended to us in our times of need, as well. Again, I think how fitting it would be to have our rallying cry be, “God Bless the World and each of us,” with the prayer for one peace, one hope, and one world represented by—that magnificent blue marble earth whirling in space—on the World Flag.
2 Comments
Songbird Snow
6/22/2020 07:58:13 am
What a wonderfully written description of a terrible tragedy and what it was like to be far away from home at such a time, Kizzie! I do agree that "God bless the world and each of us" is a perfect blessing for today, also! Thank you for posting this.
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jane dossick
6/23/2020 08:43:53 am
What an important essay! This entry is both meaningful and moving. A wonderful thought...a peaceful world, each nation helping each other. One flag uniting us.
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AuthorI cherish the gifts from Mother Nature and Father Time. Come share your stories and I'll share mine. Together we can journey as our tales unfold~ Subscribe to my blogArchives
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Just 'cause it's a tall tale don't mean it ain't true. Jonas Hackett
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