unofficial mourning

Posted by Ken Ramsley , Sep 24,2001,16:42

Over the weekend, George W. Bush ordered the American flag at Camp David returned to full staff, and by example, he ended the time of official national mourning for the events of September 11th. Local political leaders are also encouraging us to get out, to live our lives, and most of all to spend money. This is a practical exhortation having nothing to do with grieving -- official or otherwise ...a matter of macroeconomy intended to keep our financial systems intact, along with a sanction to those wanting to get on with their lives that now is the time to do so.

I fully expect that our political leaders understand how unofficial mourning continues even as the world now turns its full attention to the matters ahead, and that the practical efforts to get on with our lives is not the same thing as putting all of this grief behind us.

All of these exhortations may be necessary for the sake of our livelihoods and our collective ability to face the future, but the grief will continue for those who have lost a loved one -- and that is something which should not be swept aside in our haste to restore a sense of normality.

The experience of grief may fade into history among those who have been spared its direct and personal sting, yet it never departs from those who have lost. It only changes, and only after protracted healing and considerable suffering does it become endurable.