Blog 46 “Don’t let those people have died for nothing” (Gary)

Mark and I were supposed to walk The Hill today.  He called and said he couldn't make it.  That was a big disappointment for both of us.  However, he just moved, and was down because he had to downsize into a marginal neighborhood.  His wife is suffering from anxiety, and he is clearly stressed.  He is packing for Germany to speak at a conference on forgiveness.  His presentation is based on his dissertation about the unique posttraumatic stress of the grandchildren of survivors of the Holocaust.  Heavy shit.

            I grab the picture of The Respite off my office wall to give to Mark.  I am very attached to the picture but I know its better service at this time.  It is also a token of my affection for him, and a sign of support for his mission.  I drive to his house to send him off.  He pulls up to my truck and I take out the picture.  We both admire the detail offered in the watercolor paper I used to reprint the picture.            He seemed detached, but I understood and allowed it to be.

            We hug, I wish him well, and am motivated to say as I choke back emotions, "Don't let those people have died for nothing”.  I didn't expect that to come up.  I will think of him and his journey for his twelve days.  It will be a strenuous trip to do alone with a wife who is in the middle of setting up a new house after a tough move.  I tell him I will check in with her.

BUY THE BOOK