Photo by Dapo Oni via Unsplash
At the north end of Humboldthain Park,
a rose garden grows in the place
of what was once a war bunker.
A towering oak tree stands at the entrance.
I stop and gaze into the lush crown -
hoping for a whisper of a story,
praying that all war bunkers end up this way.
Photo of my grandmother and her friends (she is second from the right in the back row). Undated, but I assume in the mid-1940’s
I have found myself hanging on numbers, studying charts and graphs, and quantifying percentages. These are all important things in this current moment, but I have realized that this is the first time in my life that my brain has gravitated toward numbers and statistics. Usually, I prefer images, metaphor, lyrics and stories. It is the story that helps us to connect, consider and reflect. Narrative is how the majority of mankind processes happenings. It is how we formulate questions that we will one day answer.
Stories guide us in our understanding of humanity and encourage us to view the world in a different sense. We must search for the abundance of richness in our history and in the present that spans beyond our own lives. We can breathe these stories in, take them into our consciousness and value their wisdom, even if it isn’t needed at that precise moment. There is always a reason for something to be written, for something to be told.
Dr. Shaw notes that stories ask us to recognize the difference between seeing something and beholding it. A thought that is beautiful to consider. He also asks three questions:
We mustn’t forget that behind each number that enters our lives is a real human life, just like our life. This person is one who is loved and loves. Someone who has countless experiences that differ from our own. We can learn so much from one another.
Our doctors, nurses and medical staff are a heroic category of people, magnificent human beings who run into the fire daily. They did so every day before the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue afterwards. Now, we truly know how integral to life they are. They are professionals, they are people with families, they love to travel, cook, dream and enjoy simplicity as much as anyone. We must know their stories, now and going forward.
One of my dearest friends is a hospital physician in New York City. It has been years since we have seen each other, but I can tell you a bit about her story. She is a mother of two, married to the love of her life. One of her favorite songs is Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel and she isn’t afraid to dance around the city streets singing it. She has volunteered her time working in women’s health facilities in rural Mexico, Peru and Ethiopia. We spent a lot of time together crafting with leaves and seashells. Since she was a child, she knew that she was going to dedicate her life to saving lives. From working with venomous creatures in Australia to loving cinnamon rolls and coffee, my dear friend has a beautiful story that goes beyond the hospital room.
My news comes in three languages from three different countries. It is the Italian evening news that has begun to tell stories. A few nights ago, a volunteer Red Cross worker told the story of a woman who put a letter and photographs for her dying husband into his package of pills. Sixty years together and not able to say goodbye, to hold hands and to give one final kiss. She knew his time was near and with this final act, she was able to have a touch of closure and hopefully ease the suffering of her love.
The National Geographic photographer, Luca Locatelli has put together a series of photos about protecting the most vulnerable people during the pandemic. He writes, ‘Sharing our experience in Italy may help prevent the tragedies we’re giving in other parts of the world.’ One of the images that he shares is of his mother ironing her grandchildren’s clothing. He notes, ‘She demands to be active rather than to stay put.’
Photo of my grandma (left) with her cousin, NJ shore, 1946
The majority of the victims to the Covid-19 pandemic have been those older than 80. Those who have lived through WWII, the invention of television, the first space missions, and civil rights movements. They have raised families, lived in times of great abundance and of great need, they have witnessed technological advances that were unthinkable, they have raised you and me. For better or worse their stories are our stories.
The narrative of the generosity that is occurring throughout the world, between nations is one that must be magnified. Building bridges has never been easier, but we must tell the stories in the proper way, leaving cynicism in the past. The narrative of winning must change to that of one to work together to save lives. To be honest, life isn’t a game in any way. Competition is over between human beings. There are bigger, more important issues that we must come together to work on, there are so many stories to be told.
*For more on Dr. Shaw & Myth read, The Knowledge of Myth and Stories
