In today's Los Angeles Times, an obituary article caught my attention. Dith Pran, the Cambodian played by H. Ngor in the movie 'Killing Fields", passed away at age 65. As a teenager, the film moved me in a very significant way, and informed my views on war and conflict. Dith Pran's life story affirmed my belief that one survives conflict not through violence but with an unwavering belief in life and peace. As a young worker for a non-profit social development agency, I traveled to Cambodia on assignment. I did not feel the horror and sadness of genocide until I spent one summer weekend walking through Cambodia's killing fields. The war was a distant memory, the land has renewed its lush greenery and the survivors appeared to have moved on. During that quiet afternoon when I walked along the fields, I was filled with dread and fear. Land mines were still strewn across the landscape, cruel reminders of a violent time.
Something moved me to tread along the grassy paths not with caution, but with reverence and sadness. In each step I took, the ground spoke silent cries of grief. On the same soil I trod, remains of life wasted in political strife were bound to this earth forever. Every step I made on the muddy loam, I took in the innocents' dying prayer that their suffering in the hands of their oppressors remain in the awareness of those spared the atrocities. Soon, the sun waned and the beautiful sky parted with another day. I returned home believing differently, and hoped to live in a way that honored the suffering of the innocent. H. Ngor,the doctor and the actor, sadly died needlessly on the streets of Los Angeles, a victim of violent crime. Dith Pran lived the rest of his life sharing his story and nurturing his passion for journalism and photography. He lived long enough to see a measure of justice served, even if it did not come close to assuaging his losses.
Goodbye, Dith Pran. I knew your life story, and chose to inspire myself with your life. I will not measure up to your experience and generosity, but trust that your memory will not be wasted. Your kind spirit will live among those you inspired. Thank you for your lessons in kindness, tenacity and generosity of spirit.
Goodbye, Sir. May you rest in peace.
Something moved me to tread along the grassy paths not with caution, but with reverence and sadness. In each step I took, the ground spoke silent cries of grief. On the same soil I trod, remains of life wasted in political strife were bound to this earth forever. Every step I made on the muddy loam, I took in the innocents' dying prayer that their suffering in the hands of their oppressors remain in the awareness of those spared the atrocities. Soon, the sun waned and the beautiful sky parted with another day. I returned home believing differently, and hoped to live in a way that honored the suffering of the innocent. H. Ngor,the doctor and the actor, sadly died needlessly on the streets of Los Angeles, a victim of violent crime. Dith Pran lived the rest of his life sharing his story and nurturing his passion for journalism and photography. He lived long enough to see a measure of justice served, even if it did not come close to assuaging his losses.
Goodbye, Dith Pran. I knew your life story, and chose to inspire myself with your life. I will not measure up to your experience and generosity, but trust that your memory will not be wasted. Your kind spirit will live among those you inspired. Thank you for your lessons in kindness, tenacity and generosity of spirit.
Goodbye, Sir. May you rest in peace.
Hello Sam,
ReplyDeleteI got your message on my blog, thanks. Yes, taga-Bicol ako, from Albay.
I haven't checked your older recipe posts yet. I also like Bicol food very much so I really enjoyed reading your post about preparing "gulay na kalunggay"...brings back memories. And that "kudkuran" post gave me an idea. It's now on my list of what to get next time I visit Bicol.
Thank you... Have a good day!!!