Friday, November 18, 2005
SpeakOut: Kiss your loved ones today
By Elizabeth Segura Krueger
Amman, Jordan
(The letter is addressed to Nini Cabaero)
I WAS asleep when three bomb blasts rocked Amman, Jordan recently.
It had been a tiring, active day. There were Toastmaster meetings to attend. There was a Model United Nations communications practice with students of the International School. The day was capped with a short trip to the mega mall here.
As was usual, putting my daughter to bed at 8:30 was enough to bring me to sleep, waking up in between to move to our own bedroom. Like a robot, I turned on the TV for the news that would normally lull me to sleep. The images shocked me.
I ran up the stairs to tell (shout at) my husband who was already looking dazed at the screen. He heard the blasts and thought that it was no longer the season for weddings.
Before the police came, ordinary citizens, taxi drivers, unnamed passersby or those still living and active in the areas did what they could to help the injured. In these moments of untimely death, these nameless citizens provided dignity to the fallen.
There were many unsung heroes that night. Nationality, gender, age, religion or stature in society did not matter at all. It was man helping man.
Early the following morning, I told my 8-year old daughter what happened. Her quick reaction was to turn on the TV while I was preparing breakfast.
She came down the stairs crying and asking why the bad guys are in Amman. I could only hold her in my arms, giving what a parent can give, a safe haven in my arms.
How can I tell her it could have happened anywhere; it could have struck anyone whose time has ran out on earth? Yes, how can you assure a young child that the bad things around won’t touch her? No you can’t.
The following days saw Jordanian citizens and other nationals rally behind their country and decry the barbaric acts of those who think killing can cure society’s ills and cleanse it of all that is corrupt and wrong.
I’m very grateful for being able to continue living with those I love and to share with you those moments. Life is too short to keep on griping; rather, it’s time to be grateful for every second one is allowed to live.
Kiss your family and loved ones today.
(November 18, 2005 issue)
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