Dear friends Mark Rabinowitz and Danielle Digiacomo had deaths in their families this week. My prayers and sympathies are with you both and your families. I’ve shared this poem before, and each time I hear about the death of a loved one, I think of it. I hope that it gives you the strength it gives me:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye - 1932

I have refrained from commenting on the Virigina Tech massacre mainly because I have no words. Silence and prayers somehow don’t even seem to be enough. My fellow film blogger Paul Harrill teaches at Virginia Tech and has posted several posts to his blog about the tragedy there. I point them out now because 1) he has suggestions for those looking to help, and 2) his posts are directly related to media ethics, which is so important for us to be mindful.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

- Lao-Tse