Lighting a candle for Gaza

For Carolien's daughter and her family and the people of Gaza...praying for peace.

Comments

[Tara Bradford]

Salwa, you don't have to thank us - it's the only thing we can do, as women who care about human rights and justice. We are all hoping and praying your family is safe.

[Salwa van der Gaag]

Thank you for praying for my family and the people of Gaza.

[jeanie]

I add my prayers to yours. Peace.

[Carolien van der Gaag]

Thank you all so very much for opening your hearts to my daughter's family and the people of Gaza. You have no idea how much that means.

[Carolien van der Gaag]

Tara, thank you for your understanding and for lighting a candle. It is a gesture that is very much appreciated.
I just spoke to my daughter's father. Last night he had to flee the house with this children. He has no idea where the rest of his family is. Although they are the ones under siege, he is worried about how our daughter is coping with watching it on television. I couldn't tell him that the worry is making her sick. I wish I could have told him that the world is outraged and will put a stop to the war in Gaza.

[Tara Bradford]

Di, I'm sure your compassionate and positive thoughts will be much appreciated.

[Di Overton]

This is heart breaking. To hear the words of someone who is right in the midst of it all. I can't pray because I am not religious but I will keep this poor soul and her family in my thoughts for as long as this lasts and let's hope it won't be for too much longer. I do agree with you that it seems people are at last sitting up and taking notice of what is really happening to the Palestinians.

[Tara Bradford]

C'est vrai, Nelly. Merci bien.

[Tara Bradford]

Thank you so much, Steffi. They need all our prayers.

[Tara Bradford]

Carolien, I know this is a time of terrible strain and worry. I became very concerned today when even the UN said the situation was too dangerous to bring aid into Gaza. And now that rockets are being fired from Lebanon, one wonders what will happen next. I am lighting a candle every night for your daughter's family and for all the people of Gaza. It is a very small gesture, but we must hold our hopes close and appreciate the power of collective thought and prayer. I have been too upset to write about the situation today. I can only imagine what it must be like for you, with such a deeply personal stake. You are very much in my thoughts...

[Tara Bradford]

Merci bien, Catalina. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Amen, my dear friend. Amen.

[Tara Bradford]

Dutchbaby, thank you. Yes, such agonising worry, with communication cut. Simply unbearable.

[Tara Bradford]

Thank you, Christina. Those people need all the hope and prayers they can get.

[Nelly d'ici et d'ailleurs]

Le silence autour de moi est assourdissant lorsque je lis ton message et les réponses qui y sont faites. Quelle lourde peine pour Carolien. Only hope can keep people alive in such an awfull situation. I sent them all my hope and prayers.

[Steffi]

Great post!I will pray for her and her family!

[Carolien van der Gaag]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Rafah has been under heavy attack all night with no signs of letting up. We still cannot contact my daughter's father. Her grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins in Rafah had to flee their homes. We do not know where they are or if they survived the night.

God help the people of Gaza.

[Catalina]

Thank you Tara. My thoughts and prayers are there as well.

[Janepoet ~ JP/deb]

Prayers to their family and so many others ... this situation is so tragic. May the light of peace shine on this part of the world - one day, soon. JP/deb

[dutchbaby]

This is a beautiful tribute for a tragic situation. My thoughts are with Carolien and her family; it must be unbearable to live with the uncertainty.

[Christina]

I will put my loss for words and my silence into my prayers.

[Tara Bradford]

I know. We are all sad. Imagine how those people must feel - driven from their homes, with no place to go. It boggles the mind that this can happen in 2009. Have we really learned so little from history??!!

[Tara Bradford]

Isn't it true that for so long, we heard only one side of the story? Sigh. Thankfully, many people are now waking up to the reality and seeing Israel isn't blameless, after all.

[Tara Bradford]

The people of Gaza need all our prayers and positive thoughts to endure this seige. Thanks for your comments, Robin. xo

[Tara Bradford]

You're so right, dear Alex. Hoping the madness will be halted soon...Meanwhile, we watch, hope and pray. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

You and your family are very much in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping for the best...

[Chris]

I don't mean to be sarcastic.
Anger makes me sarcastic.
But I am sad, too. And lost.

[Chris]

oh... don't tell me there are real people in Gaza. People just like us here in America? But are they like the ones in Israel? That's what I really want to know. Real People?

[My Melange]

Oh yes...prayer and positive thoughts will help you through this terrible time!!!

[Gypsy Alex]

I'm joining you on that prayer, sweet one. War makes me very sad and confused. I just don't understand how that can be...

[Carolien van der Gaag]

I don't know how to thank you, Tara. Your photo and words are beautiful.

We no longer have telephone contact with my daughter's father. I see on CNN that the attack on Rafah has started. The reporter said the Israeli army is even using a gunship.

I feel so very, very sad.