In Part 1 of this post I tell how I returned to a massacre site more than two decades after discovering it. In this part I learn that the Serb policeman who murdered 24 children and 30 adults has never been brought to justice and I sit down to talk to a man who lost everything in the massacre. I find warmth, generosity, dignity and an unexpected bond.
Shuffling the deck of these intense emotional memories and experiences is always a bit scary. In my own experience, it is almost always satisfying too, in a way. The memories and experiences are still painful but rather than being a burden the kind of become part of the sinew. This examination is done on the level of self reflection, too seldom with the other people involved and almost never with anyone else... it can feel isolating. I’m glad you got to go back and reconnect with these people.
Julian…the words poignant and timing comes top of mind as I reflect on your post. It’s time for you to return to a happy place in the mountains with your bears!
I went hiking in the hills of Armstrong north of Kelowna, British Columbia two weeks ago and saw a juvenile brown bear up a tree! The bark was a good lunch for him! I’ve seen many bears from a car though not many on foot! Nature holds the upper hand…always.
Enjoy the renewal of May in the Kootenays. The dark winter is behind us.
Returning is cathartic and healing in many ways. Glad you’re going home to the woods. Yet there holds so much as well. Making peace with your ghosts is also a comfort. Completely relate to your comment of non relating to those who have not walked through the ashes nor the fire.
Shuffling the deck of these intense emotional memories and experiences is always a bit scary. In my own experience, it is almost always satisfying too, in a way. The memories and experiences are still painful but rather than being a burden the kind of become part of the sinew. This examination is done on the level of self reflection, too seldom with the other people involved and almost never with anyone else... it can feel isolating. I’m glad you got to go back and reconnect with these people.
Julian…the words poignant and timing comes top of mind as I reflect on your post. It’s time for you to return to a happy place in the mountains with your bears!
I went hiking in the hills of Armstrong north of Kelowna, British Columbia two weeks ago and saw a juvenile brown bear up a tree! The bark was a good lunch for him! I’ve seen many bears from a car though not many on foot! Nature holds the upper hand…always.
Enjoy the renewal of May in the Kootenays. The dark winter is behind us.
Givonna
Returning is cathartic and healing in many ways. Glad you’re going home to the woods. Yet there holds so much as well. Making peace with your ghosts is also a comfort. Completely relate to your comment of non relating to those who have not walked through the ashes nor the fire.