"A young child looks through a gate as an American Marine keeps watch whilst on patrol in Khan Neshin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the furthest south of any coalition troops and near the border of Pakistan Tuesday Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Lewis Whyld)"
As a mother, I cannot begin to know what a mother in Afghanistan (the country in this photo) feels or what hope she clings to for her child. When my children were young I was almost over protective, much to the chagrin of my children. It mattered not what other children were allowed to do or how much freedom their parents allowed them, I insisted on knowing where my children were at all times and when they were quite young, they had to be within sight. My son would get on his tricycle and nonchalantly ride down to the end of the building, glance over his shoulder to see me watching, and then ride like crazy around the corner only to see me run all the way to the end of the building and around that corner and the next corner by that time and see him waiting for me with the biggest grin on his dear little face!
My heart hugs the sweet child in this photo and the soldier who is someone's son.
16 comments:
That is a poignant post.
Our children are so precious and this photo of a little child cowering in the doorway says everything, really.
I also looked at the other post of the soldier with his face covered against the sand. He also is somebody's son......
Thought provoking blog.
Recently went to see some shots taken by the war photographer in Helmand. They were so touching, I cried for them all, sons and daughters of other people. All of us children once.
Thanks
A fantastic post. It does us all good to spend some time thinking about others and realising that our daily traumas are nothing in comparison to some less fortunate. Thanks for reminding me.
So very true, I don't have children, but it scares me that this is their reality. They are all someones sons or daughters. GREAT post today.
A good photograph can evoke such emotions. I have been known to cry sometimes.
What a powerful picture! It speaks volumes.
xo
a hard road.....
The thought of this is the stuff of nightmares!
Your post and this photo show us the divine in everyone. Fantastic.
your last snetence got me...
your last sentence got me so much i obviously forgot how to spell...as well.
This post so touched my heart!
Thank you!
I don't think you were being overly protective just a realist. One can't be too careful with our children. I can't imagine what it is like to be a woman and mother in Afghanastan.
Powerful photo and a powerful post. You've got to wonder what it's like for civilians in war zones - the horrors that they see on a daily basis. I've got strong feelings about both of the wars the U.S. has started, but it's not the place for it.
TechnoBabe, you are welcome to post it on your blog. Thanks for your encouraging words.
God bless.
That picture is painful to see, almost overwhelming. As a parent of four, the hardest part, BY FAR, is hoping they're safe at all times. Sometimes I will imagine myself into moments of terror over the idea of trying to do that in a war torn country.
SLC
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