Brave Little Man
Baghdad, Iraq  2002

      This mother was eager to visit with us; however, her son was fearful of these strange looking people who spoke a different language. He had already been traumatized enough through the amputation of his arm due to cancer, so I quickly moved on.

      I wish I could have spent more time with each of these mothers and their children, with a translator. What was she thinking about us? What would she want say to us if she were free to communicate? What impression did we leave zooming in for a quick visit, taking pictures and then leaving? We do not really know what they have to go through – we do not have to live with their reality. And yet, in spite of that, these women and children were very gracious. What a role model they are for those who suffer under aggression. There is much we can learn from them.

CSpaulding
January 2003