Waansin

Dit is vir my intens pynlik om te lees hoe mense argeloos op die oorlog in Oekraïene reageer. Die verskriklike beelde van verwoesting, van geboue, huise wat gebombardeer word, van lyke in die strate, van kinders wat ontvoer word, van die ontruiming van stede se inwoners, van hongersnood, lang toue van vlugtelinge roep by sommige, soos by my, verontwaardiging op: uit die bloute is 'n land deur die gierige politiekery van 'n demagoog soos Putin aangeval. Pynliker is die feit dat sommige, ook hier te lande, en nogal kerklikes, die inval goedpraat omdat Rusland deur die Weste geprovokeer is. Dit is vir my die verpersoonliking van boosheid: dat mense, goeie mense, so 'n grootskaase lyding op enige manier kan rasionaliseer. Niks, geen argument, geen goedpratery kan daardie wrede oorlog regverdig nie. 

Ma se wysheid

 

Vanoggend se nuusbrief van die New York Times (12 Mei) vier moedersdag van Sondag met reaksies van lesers oor die wysheid wat hulle van hul ma's onthou het. 

“When I wanted to get my first tattoo at 21, she subtly suggested I get it someplace where I did not have to see it every day. I followed her suggestion and now have a slightly embarrassing, poor-quality tattoo on my back instead of my forearm.” — Amanda Olson, Seattle

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“My mother, a nurse, asserted that everyone should learn first aid. I followed her advice and ended up using the Heimlich maneuver on my then little boy.” — Karen Russ, Rockford, Ill.

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“When I was in my 20s, I was absolutely miserable at a job and was looking to get out as fast as I could. My mom gently reminded me that I should always be running toward something, not away from something.” — Sheryl Magzamen, Fort Collins, Colo.

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“Select friends with traits of the kind of person you want to be.” — Seun Sowemimo, Manalapan, N.J.

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“Just after my first child was born, my mother put her hand on my arm and said, ‘Honey, you have breathed your last free breath.’ And she laughed — in a kind, not a bitter, way. Her words meant that I was now to know love so consuming that every second of the rest of my life would be spent in fear of loss. I feel connected to her knowing that we have shared this deep and meaningful terror.” — Shannon Kilgore, Santa Fe, N.M.

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“Mejor estar solo que mal acompañado. Translation: Better to be alone than in bad company.” — Maria Espinosa, New York City

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“You wouldn’t worry so much about what other people think about you if you knew how little they do.” — Lisa Horan, Somers, Conn.

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“When I was 3 years old, I asked my mother whether or not a lady had to be a mommy. She said, ‘No, she does not have to.’ I clung to her response as to a life raft and remained child-free my entire life.” — Gretchen Williams, Santa Rosa, Calif.

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“When faced with risky decisions or chance opportunities, my mother has always told me, ‘Just ask. The worst thing they can say is no.’ It didn’t mean the no would be painless, but only that I’d be in the same place I was before. It’s advice that empowered me to ask for dates, discounts and jobs.” — Leah Cheshier, Houston

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“My mom suggested I was gay when I was 16, and I snapped at her. She saw through my repression, was brave enough to broach the subject and was right about my sexual orientation.” — Oren Livne, Tel Aviv

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“I once asked my mom, ‘What am I ever going to do when you are gone?’ She said, ‘Exactly what you’re doing now.’ I was startled by the simplicity. In a few words, she let me know that life would go on and I would be fine. And while I miss her still after 20 years, I have told my own daughters the same thing.” — Mary Ellen Collins, Toronto

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