STONEWALK 2004: BOSTON, MA to NEW YORK, NY.

August 11th
By Daniel Jones

August 11 – Today we were joined by June-san and Ken-san who will be walking, drumming, chanting and pushing with us. It was a very hard morning for me as the events of the night before left me with so much sadness. As we dressed the caisson, I found myself unable to stop tears falling. I spoke briefly with Dot and Lewis, and by the time we got ready to start, I was able to resume my role. We started the day at Jeff’s house. He and his brother, Greg, pushed with us. Jeff for the whole day and Greg for half since he had to work. Sherry from the Congregational Church was there and she told her fellow parishioner, Kelly, who brought her 10 year old daughter. Kelly was so into the push that she called her mother-in-law to pick up her daughter, Meagan, and Kelly continued on with us the rest of the day. She is a marathon runner who trains on the hills over which we were pulling, so her strength and anticipatory guidance were invaluable.

The countryside in this part of Connecticut is so beautiful. There were times today that I left the line to walk closer to the edges of hills and take in the beautiful shades of deep green in the trees and hills in the distance. There were a couple ponds, one in which we saw a beaver. We saw hawks and eagles.

At a mid day break today, I offered some instruction andadvice on being helpful when one is showing emotions at the stone. It is caring people who come out to lend their bodies to this task, so we all want to jump in when someone is expressing grief, but is important to ask permission before touching. I remember my daughter fell off her bicycle once at the Botanical Gardens. I picked her up and ran with her home while she was crying. In an attempt to sooth her, I gently voiced a “shh” sound. She yelled at me that she would not be quiet because it hurt. I said, “You’re right, Bronagh. You yell as loud as you need to and I am going to keep holding you.” After two very impressive yells of pain, she was able to quiet a little, although that was no longer my goal. It struck me that she knew what she needed, did it, and her needs were met. I also talked about heart shakras, of which I understand little, but have experienced powerfully. We discussed how to offer support rather than, in an attempt to soothe, sending a message to quiet down. At the stone after the break, I asked Jun-san to explain the significance of the words she and Ken-san were chanting as we walked with the caisson. She explained that the words were a prayer calling on the sacred hearts of all those who are dead and represented by the stone. It was one of those synchronistic moments we have had on this trip, going from heart shakra to the sacred heart we all have.

We pulled into the Marlboro senior center with just enough time to wrap the caisson before the rain started to fall. At the caisson, Lewis told us he would not be here for the next few days as business at the Peace Abbey was pressing. He beautifully shared with us that by leaving, he was realizing his dream since unveiling the stone, that he would find a group that cared more about the stone and its mission and message than he does. It is a beautiful tribute to Peaceful Tomorrows that he can trust enough to leave for a few days. I expressed gratitude to him for being so passionate about this before our loved ones were killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am struck with same experience I had when I first met David Potorti, that this is somehow my brother to whom I have been connected longer than we have known each other. Thank you Peaceful Tomorrows; especially David and Colleen, for making this walk happen.