17 February 2003

The Garden Wall

The garden wall fell in yesterday.  Apparently 150 years of rain working into the cracks, then two week’s of a bitter cold spell caused the water inside of the wall to freeze.  The thing just exploded.  Instead of a strong wall surrounding the garden, there is a big round hole the size of a picture window looking out into the intersection.

I thought that was the big news when we came home from our brief trip to the US.  Then I went to the school playground where two different mothers spoke to me to ask if I thought the US would bomb Iraq.  The second thing out of Monique’s mouth when she ran over to return the back door key was to tell me about all of the US demonstrations against the war, and ask my thoughts about the same thing.

The looming action against Iraq is big on everybody's mind here.  The French believe that Americans can stop this war if they will just try.  They also are afraid that Bush has made up his mind and nothing will change it.

Deep down inside they are mostly worried about what it means to be against the war, and at war.  President Chirac of France has repeatedly urged caution in moving against Iraq.  People here heard Mr. Bush when he said to oppose us is to be our enemy.  They are wondering if France could be attacked next because they are asking for caution in starting a war.

On the surface that seems pretty crazy.  On the other hand we bombed Afghanistan and the people who there hadn’t done anything to the US. 

The French seem to believe that the majority of Americans are opposed to the war and that Mr. Bush is going ahead with or without the support of the voters.  One of our French friends said she heard Mr. Bush say you are either for us or against us, but she thought we had more choices.

I am wondering what it will mean to us personally if there is a war and the French refuse to support the American efforts.  We are strong as a family.  We are secure in who we are as Americans.  But we are definitely against the bombing of Iraq.

All of the uncertainty and fear that seems to be swirling around us started making me think about the stonewall that exploded.  Life is a little like that wall.  From the outside it looks really strong.   On the inside there are hidden problems the can destroy everything. 

We seem to think that building a wall will protect us but I don’t think the world works like that.  We have to live in this world and if we destroy parts of it then how do we fix it so it is strong and protects us…all of us?

All those lovely stones that are a part of our garden wall are spilled out onto the ground.  They really have no purpose now.  When they were a part of the wall they were strong as long as they were connected to each other.

My voice is like one of the stones in the wall.  I am one little stone but when I join with the other stones what I do has meaning and strength.

The war is big news here because people know there is a lot at stake for everyone involved.  My French friends are urging us to do what we can to influence our president.  Even though I try to explain that I am only one person, they seem to think that Americans will do the right thing if enough of us speak up because we can be fair and just.

I plan to send a few emails and call the White House Opinion Line (202/456-1111) today.  It is my hope that you will join my voice and be like one of the stones in the wall.  If you would like a list of groups that are working to bring peace to the Middle East please send me an email and I will be happy to reply.