Quotes and Thoughts for the Day

[N F C]

"Forgiveness made me free from hatred. I still have many scars on my body and severe pain most days but my heart is cleansed. Napalm is very powerful, but faith, forgiveness, and love are much more powerful. We would not have war at all if everyone could learn how to live with true love, hope, and forgiveness. If that little girl in the picture can do it, ask yourself: Can you?"

- Phan Thi Kim Phuc (The little girl in the picture - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phan_Thi_Kim_Phuc#/media/File:TrangBang.jpg)

In 1972 a prize-winning photo went around the world. Twenty-four year old John Plummer had bombed and destroyed a Vietnamese village with napalm. The photo shows a little naked Vietnamese girl among other people running along a road and screaming in desperation. A day later Plummer saw this photo and was deeply moved about the effect of his action and his guilt. The girl survived after 17 operations and later became the UNESCO Good Will Ambassador.

Twenty-four years after the bombs were dropped she gave a lecture for Vietnam War veterans near Plummer’s home and he was in the audience. She said to the veterans: “If I could speak face to face with the pilot who dropped those bombs, I would tell him that we cannot change history, but we should try to do good for the present.”

During the presentation Plummer wrote a note: “I am that man” – and had it brought to her. When her talk ended, he pushed his way through the crowd toward her, and they fell in each other’s arms. All that Plummer could say was: “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” And she answered: “I forgive you, I forgive you.”

Of course that’s an extreme example, but perhaps it can give us courage and show how a hidden power of attraction brought those two people together in this life already. Both freely decided their deed: Plummer to reveal himself, Kim Phuc Phan Thi to forgive the bomber.

I've had the privilege of reading this woman's biography. Some days I look back at the people who hurt me in my life and think how hard it is for me to forgive them and then I think of this… If she can forgive that?

I've heard that story before and well remember the photo. How remarkable. Thanks for the reminder Sumi.

 

[N F C]

Ken, thanks for the link. Very interesting idea, I'll share it with DH when he gets home later.

 

[Bowleggedcowboy]

Good Morning Jon! How's Texas this morning..

 

[N F C]

Time for me to get outside. See you all later, have a good day!

 

[Bowleggedcowboy]

@NickyKnack
Hi and good morning Nicky! I don't know what to think on the tomatoes I need to remember to try the Epson salt.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I'm jealous of your gardens. We have to wait yet until the threat of frost is over. Humbug!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Gardening is cheaper than therapy
And you get Tomatoes
(sometimes

)

 

[jtn42248]

Good Morning Jon! How's Texas this morning..

A lot calmer than it has been recently. We had a nasty storm build up last night but it passed us by and we have a few more days of unpredictable weather but much better than it was. Here is last nights storm...

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Texas has been popping up on the weather site I use pretty often lately. Hope you're not dealing with mass flooding like the articles keep predicting.

 

[Bowleggedcowboy]

Good Morning Jon! How's Texas this morning..

A lot calmer than it has been recently. We had a nasty storm build up last night but it passed us by and we have a few more days of unpredictable weather but much better than it was. Here is last nights storm...

That storm looks like it could've been a bad one. Glad it missed ya.