Straight out of Africa
22/02/2006
I can't explain the joy I have in my heart as I watch the lovely warm
wailing blanket I continued to knit, grow and develop its own patterns
and colours, yet so connected and looking like it all belongs together.
I always intended, that from the 8th March, 2006, I will wail each
morning, so that the women in pain around the globe who lost their
child to our inhumanity, will know they are not alone. That somewhere
in the world, someone is leading the wailing and working on ways to
stop this happening to others. I now know it won't be long before I
won't be leading the wailing on many days other then the 8th, as more
and more wonderful people come forward to add their name to the wailing
calendar.
Some I know, others I have never met or spoken to before like Becky…
Early yesterday morning, I opened my email and there was a beautiful
email from Becky in Africa, who has just registered her name to wail on
the 24th March. I emailed back and asked Becky if she would also like
to make a promise to the children of the world and within a few moments
a very personal reply came from her heart and soul.
I then told Becky I was heading out for a walk on the beach and would
think of her and her children while walking and would then get her
promise on the site as soon as I returned. As I stood and looked out
to see, I connected with Becky and thought about what she had written.
"And I guess I too am
guilty IN SOME WAY".
Becky's Promise
Becky, we all do and have done things we regret, been angry and had
disagreements with family and friends. But the important thing is to
recognize this and work to stop it happening again and as you say
forgive those who have upset or offended you, that is why Becky's
promise is very special indeed. It's about recognizing our own faults
and working to improve them first. I am also like Becky working on my
many faults, so that I am a better person.
I put her promise up and emailed her a link.
This morning this email arrived from Becky
Dear Grandma Kerry,
Thank you for your lovely personal reply. It already feels like I have
known you for years. Thank God for you grandma, we definitely can make
a difference.
The other day, my daughter Ewurama's (She will be 10 years on May 11th)
teacher asked what non violence was about. This is because according to
her, my daughter has been using the phrase a lot lately and had started
telling her friends about settling their quarrels without resorting to
fighting and other forms of violence. So Grandma, we are already
getting somewhere. If we are committed and persistent, starting in a
small way from our immediate environment, and keeping the promises we
make, Caitlin, Ewurama and all the children of the world will have a
better, loving and more peaceful world.
My son Joojo will be 13 years on April 5th.
Our group doesn't have a website now but we are working on it and I
will inform you as soon as it is up.
I hope to be able to contribute to your newsletter in future.
Best wishes and love to you from Africa.
Becky
All this happened in the last 24 hours and we have not yet met, but are
so connected and committed to a common cause. My heart is filled with
Joy - straight out of Africa. I think that in these few emails we have
shown what can be achieved, when people open their hearts and connect
simply as human beings.
This week I am also so very pleased to add the name of dear friend
Judian, a nun with the order of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (an
international religious order) who with others will meditate at the
Namaste' Center on the evening of March 25, which happens to be is
the Feast of the Annunciation.
I met Judian in Puerto Rico, in 2003 at the launch of the Alliance for
the New Humanity. I am delighted to have Judian and so many others
involved in the wailing. The wailing blanket is glowing with love and
caring and hope for the future..
People ask me how will I wail, and I say. "It's not for me to tell you
how to wail, it is up to you to find the way to wail that suits you.
This could start with reading the wailing poem and letting the words
affect you in whatever way they will. It could be like Judian who will
meditate, others will cry, scream, shout, pray, sing out loud or simply
in silence, we all have our own spiritual way and place for these
things. I am yet to find out how Becky with wail.
The main thing to remember is we are simply mothers, women, or caring
men all part of the human family. From Indiana, Oz or out of Africa,
we all feel and share the same pain and want a better world for the
children. Like Becky lets start with ourselves and go from there.
Have a great week, I will, as I head off tomorrow to spend time with
someone very special on another beautiful beach up north..
Love and hugs
Kerry
Kerry Bowden
