Sadness

[Camilla]

Early this morning, yes on Sept 11th, our Foreign Minister died. She was brutally stabbed while shopping at a department store yesterday. We, the Swedish people, have always been a peaceful country and have not been engaged in war-activities for more than 300 years. We have an open country and are having a countrywide vote coming up on Sunday, regarding changing our currency to Euro. Anna Lindh, the Minister, was a 46 year old woman with two kids, using all her passion to fight for what she believed was right, especially in this campaign and through UN. Now our democracy and freedom has been seriously violated and I feel sad. Where is our world heading?
/camilla

[Linda M.]

Camilla -- I am so sorry for your loss and the situation in your country. Please know that I join you in your sorrow and understand how difficult it is to accept the chaos that a few people can cause. This is a national day of sorrow for my country, but it is also a day of hope and determination. There are so many good people in the world working toward making the world a better place. I was reading a book about Native American culture this morning and the author was talking about the rainbow bridge that joins all people of the world. Can you imagine how beautiful a rainbow is and then picture it as a bridge to join all of us together? All people of the world working for one thing to be united in peace and understanding. I recently attended two funerals -- one for a 19 year old boy who lost control of his car on a wet road and one for a 50 year old friend who was murdered. I can't explain either incident anymore than I can explain how someone could stab your foreign minister. I only know that I believe that what we do with each day is important. May you find peace in your sorrow and maybe one day that rainbow will bring us together in person. Take good care of yourself, Linda M

[Camilla]

Thank you Linda!
The metaphor of the rainbow is beautiful. I'll keep that in mind. We are used to hear this kind of tragedies in the media from the US but not in oour country. It's quite chocking and there's like a somber quietness on the streets. I also think of you in rememberance of WTC on 9/11. Take care and thanks for your reply!
/camilla

[Linda M.]

You are welcome! It is hard to imagine that with so much knowledge that we are still people of such violence. I am sure your country is very alarmed and quiet. It was very eerie here after 9/11 when no planes were flying. People were staying in their homes. In the silence, I found comfort because I knew it would cause people to think. To reconsider their beliefs. A tragedy such as your country is experiencing will bring people together that might otherwise not have come to the table. Please let me know how this progresses for you. And again, I join you in your sorrow. Linda