Tears
I am intimately aware of my own grief.
I was frozen as I heard about the devastating attacks in Paris on Friday. I was flashed back to 09/11 and remember the shock, horror, and fear that I felt. I am also profoundly aware of the constant attacks in the troubled regions of the world — the ones that don't receive as much media attention. My heart aches for the world.
After some thought, I decided to share what had happened with Theo – worried that he might hear something at school. All I told him was that some bad men hurt some people in Paris, but that the police had taken care of it and there were no more bad men, but that it was very sad.
I recently uploaded my entire music library to Amazon Music, giving me access to my songs anywhere. I did a random shuffle while in the car, which gave me an interesting mix. I listened to "As Tears Go By" by the Rolling Stones. It made me so intimately aware of my own grief over the past two months.
So many of the words and sentiments regarding Paris over the past few days have stirred up some sharp and painful feelings for me.
It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch
As tears go by
-The Rolling Stones
Anna Burgess Yang