The so-called International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths “raises awareness about disaster deaths that never should occur”. The “focus” of this awareness “includes floods that overwhelm unprepared towns, heatwaves without early warnings, and road accidents on unsafe routes” (https://tinyurl.com/2z5pnuha).
Interesting, but what about avoidable deaths due to terrorism, armed conflicts, and wars? How can we raise awareness about how human-made disaster deaths kill innocent people, destroy lives as well as economies, and tear apart families and their countries?
How do we deal with destructive ideologies that seem incompatible with the will to live and to solve state and inter-state conflicts without radicalism? Is the harsh aggression, or aggressive unmeasured response, a viable and wise approach to get rid of this apparently unsolvable problem—which involves a suicidal, closed mindset. This is sadly the Lebanese tragedy again and again. None of the two fighting entities, Hezbollah and Israel, seem to want to stop the absurd insanity. Yes, Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into a war it did not want or can afford. Yes, Israel seems determined to do what Lebanon would have ideally done itself to disarm this Iran-backed Lebanese militia. Clearly, Lebanon does not seem to be able to do it still, even with a weakened Hezbollah. So what is the solution to this existential problem? How will it end in the end… and would it?
So many questions that are beyond the scope of this post and the spirit of this blog, which is based on aspirations for peace, reason, and love.
Related to love, and since tomorrow is “National Day of Plant a Flower”, Bambi who is powerless like the innocent people of her birth country—as well as those residing in its neighbouring and more distant countries— can only symbolically keep planting flowers of peace, along with seeds of love, on her blog. These flowers are meant for each one of you, dear readers. May we remain grounded in those nerve-wracking times. May we remain connected to our humanity despite mixed feelings of despair, anger, sadness, hope for end of the nightmare, and dream of brighter days.
Dear Bambi,
Interesting. A couple of days ago it was the day of planting trees in Iran. I hope people plant thousands flowers and trees in our countries … I have planted grass for spring. Nowruz (new day, new year) starts on March 21 in Iran and we set a table including grass, apple, coin, sumac, Senjed (dried fruit of the Russian olive tree), Samanu, and garlic. Each has their own message …
Although thousands Poppy flowers have grown in the soil of my country from the blood of young people killed by the regime …
Hoping for victory and peace in our countries …
How interesting indeed. Planting flowers and trees. You have planted grass for the spring. Bravo to you. In Lebanon, March 21st is Mothers’ Day, at the start of the spring. Bambi loves all the spices you described, thank you for sharing. As for the young people of your birth country who have been cruelly murdered, may each of their memory be eternal… May their families find courage one day at a time, day after day. May healing and peace prevail. May justice be served. Most significantly, may love have the final word. Thank you for enriching this blog with your meaningful and moving comments. What an honour for Bambi and how informative to her readers. Merci/Thank you Dear Najmeh.