I had no idea what to expect regarding Monday night’s inter-faith vigil in support of immigration and that was planned at a monument that just happens to be on the block where I live. But I thought to myself, there’s no way that I can miss this - it’s like it was meant to be. This is the world today. This is history in the making. And I need to do something…just be there.
I was concerned about a couple of things: would I be able to get to my apartment due to the possible traffic jams or maybe even road closures because of this event, and would it be scary and turn into a dangerous mob? As you might have been able to tell from my last entry, I’m a little bit of a scaredy cat. I’m also claustrophobic and tend to panic in large crowds.
Also, there has been violence in the streets of my city in the very recent past and I can’t get that out of my head. Yes, I realize that these are all very PERSONAL issues about ME and MY wellbeing, but they were just a few of the things on my mind nonetheless.
For someone who is not sure how to speak out or which direction to turn, this event could not have been more perfect. For this was NOT an angry mob situation. It was not a protest. It was not anything other than a candle light vigil to spread love and good will to those detained or blocked by the travel ban…to those of many faiths, of ANY faith, of humanity.
This was a call to be present and to be human and to stand up for what is right for the world and to let our lights shine. What it was NOT was a fight. What it was NOT was name-calling. What it was NOT was ugly.
What it WAS was beautiful. The chapel was still a chapel but it was also converted into a temporary mosque for Muslims who needed to pray. Nearly all of the signs of the participants were messages of love and inclusion. The candles were lit as the sun set over the park and it was simply illuminating.
I don’t want to forget that moment of peace. It was beautiful and I felt a very strong sense of community. I feel the need to continue this feeling somehow. I don’t know what it might be and I don’t know how to do it just yet, but things are rolling around in my brain. What can I do to bring a sense of peace to the world?
Thinking…
xox,
GS
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