Monday, April 23, 2007

Sleeping with Bread: Shared Consolation

Last week, just after hitting "Publish" on my weekly Sleeping with Bread post, I noticed the headline referring to the shootings at Virginia Tech. Today, one week later, the students returned to school. There were several remembrances throughout the day, from a sweatshirt draped over the chair of an injured student to the release of 1,000 balloons.

Although I have personal desolations and consolations this week, I thought I would leave you with those shared in the comments of a post I wrote the next day. In it, I asked people to answer the question of what gives them consolation in times like this and what causes them desolation in times like this.

Here are their replies:

  • At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 2:31:00 PM, chickenone said…

    I find desolation in the fact that if someone wants to reap so much death and destruction, they can't really be stopped until they've killed or maimed several people.

    I find consolation in the goodness of people who extend genuine sympathy and all kinds of support and assistance to the families of those killed.

  • At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:01:00 PM, allrileyedup said…

    At times like this, I find desolation in the thought that I have brought my children into a world where things like this happen.

    At times like this, I find consolation in the hope that if I raise them right, my kids might help make the world a place where things like this won't happen.

  • At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:40:00 PM, Aliki2006 said…

    I find terrible desolation in the fact that this world has become such a terrible place.

    I find consolation in the fact that it is still beautiful, even in the face of so much horror.

  • At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:32:00 PM, Beck said…

    I find terrible desolation in the violent anarchy that seems to be creeping closer and closer.
    I find consolation in my faith, in my knowledge that so many other people want a good world too, in my family and friends.

  • At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:38:00 PM, ECR said…

    I find desolation in the fact that nothing ever changes, and that destruction has befallen people since the beginning of time and will continue till the end.

    I find consolation in the fact that nothing ever changes, and that people are basically good.


Last week, like most of us, I felt a sense of loss and desolation in the tragedy of VA Tech, as well as the hostage situation at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. However, I took great consolation in the thoughts shared here. Thanks to all of you who shared your consolations and desolation with me.

5 comments:

N. said...

I'm sorry I missed the SWB post last week (I cocooned for a while in part because of the VT shooting) and read it after the fact. It brought out a lot of good thought, and energy.
Goodnight, my fellow East Coast Time Zoner.
-Nan

Aliki2006 said...

Thank *you* for providing this lovely space in which to reflect.

Julie Pippert said...

It is nice to find this consolation.

I remind myself there isn't enough time on TV new or space in a newspaper to document all the good that happens. I tried to pretend this is why they don't even try. LOL

Terri B. said...

Have you ever gone to http://www.happynews.com ?

atypical said...

Since you posted this I keep opening this comment box and then going blank.

Consolation, like bread, is so much better shared, don'tcha think?

Terri - ooooh, a new website for me to peruse. Yay!

-t