Temporary
Death always makes one take stock of one’s life. Looking at the positives, the negatives, the words both said and unheard, as well as the actions we wish we could or should have taken and the ones we thought better to have never been made at all. This is one of those times.
Following the aftermath of the incident in Phnom Penh where nearly 345 people lay dead outside the Phnom Penh Hospital, the country of Cambodia has been at an almost standstill, at least from what I’ve witnessed. Many of the people in my town have been asking why such a thing would happen, others saddened by the loss, and even more without words worthy to help understand the situation at hand.
Being awoken at 6 this morning by my worried mother was the start of a long day of questions regarding the situation, which until the phone call, I had not yet heard of. After some investigation, listening to short wave radio stations, reading various news articles, and finally hearing it from victim’s families themselves, the situation is much more real than I imagined. I always scoff at the way in which concerned parents, friends, and loved ones in the states feel the fright of loss once a tragedy befalls a country in which I or someone is stationed, or at other times, a continent. However, this time it felt justified as I had intended on attending this festival days prior, but due to a growing sense of frugality, I thought better of my actions and stayed at site.
It is brushes like these with fate, death, anything, even as minor as my brush was, that gets us thinking about the things in life we have done, are doing, and will be doing some day, or that is, if we are given such an opportunity. Life is such a temporary thing and I am glad to know that I am taking it for all it is worth with my time here. My heart goes out to the families that lost loved ones in the incident. There are an estimated 90 deaths from my province alone, postponing some classes (as if that wouldn’t have happened anyway) for the ones who have lost more than a bit of sleep over this. All Peace Corps staff and volunteers are accounted for and luckily, even the ones who attended the event are fine and were nowhere near the situation.
Tonight, my town, like many others in this country, are silent with candles on every porch lining the streets in memory of those lost. Sitting on my balcony writing this with no light but that of this screen, the full moon, and 50 some odd candles adds one of the most chilling senses of serenity I have ever felt during my time in Cambodia, and hopefully ever will.
Be easy,
-Matt
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hellogreenapple said:
wow matt, i’m very glad you ended up staying at site. even though i know you are okay i’m pretty sad i will most likely never know if my friends in phnom penh are alright. it’s hard not knowing.
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redefinedweekendwarrior posted this