What Does it Mean to be Mindful?

Center for Mindfulness at UMass

The funny thing about the Universe is that when it speaks to you, it does so in a loud and resounding voice.  As I continue on my journey towards a more balanced and peaceful life, road signs posted along the way are the key to this attainable goal.  Last year, I took note as I passed them, but it wasn’t until I had an “ah ha” moment that it all came together in a neatly wrapped package with a common theme: Be More Mindful.  Before I discuss mindfulness, let me share with you the road signs as they unfolded before me:

 

1.      An article in Time Magazine titled The Art of Being Mindful by Katie Pickert (2/3/14).  I read the article and found it to be interesting, so I set that issue aside for future reference.

2.      Later in the year I had a conversation with Christina, the Practice Manager at the Natural Health ImprovementCenter-Alsip about centering oneself.  Christina is a reiki practitioner who absorbs the energy of others (positive or negative) as part of this healing art.  I asked her what she does to remained balanced, and she replied “Mindfulness Practices” (12/2014).

3.      Two days after this conversation, I received a subscription mailer to Mindful Magazine, to which I subscribed forthwith, as this was the “ah ha” that I referred to earlier.  After this moment I immediately recalled the article in Time Magazine and read it again.

So what is Mindfulness?

 

 

     In 1979, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, opened a stress reduction clinic (now called the Center forMindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center) that laid the foundation for the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course currently offered either at UMass or online (2015).

MBSR is a form of meditation that asks the practitioner-student to pay attention to what is happening in the present moment of your life, rather than fixating on the past or future events.  Dr. Kabat-Zinn realized that we live in a fast-paced, stressed-out society, which can fill our minds with scattered thoughts (2015).  We never seem to have the ability to just stop and smell the roses (as the old adage goes) without having our attention diverted elsewhere.  As a society we become engrossed with what happened in the past, or what lies ahead of us in the form of future events.  The basic premise of MBSR is to live fully in the present with each activity to which are currently engaged.

     Kabat-Zinn found that when we become more mindful to life’s moments, our stress levels are lowered (cortisol/adrenaline levels), thoughts become more clear and focused, we make better decisions, and no longer let life just pass us by.  For example, if we were to mindfully concentrate on driving (and all the acts involved with this task), we would arrive safely at our next destination because we did not shift our focus to answer the latest text or tweet.

     Katie Pickert tells us that meditation, or “the practice of doing nothing and being tuned into your own mind at the same time . . . research shows it reduces stress and increases focus” (2/3/14).  Ms. Pickert listed what she calls the Five Steps to Mindfulness Meditation:

1.      Sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor, or upright in a chair with your back straight and shoulders dropped.  Take a deep breath, and close your eyes.

2.      Focus on the air moving in/out of your lungs, but don’t change the pattern of your breathing.

3.      Once thoughts enter your mind (and they will), acknowledge them, and return to your breath.  During the beginning of your meditation practice, this may happen quite often so don’t become discouraged, just keep at it.

4.      Don’t judge yourself or try to ignore these thoughts.  Just notice the mind has wandered, and return to your breathing.

5.      Start with 10 minutes a day for a week.  The more you meditate, the easier it will become to keep a focused attention (2/3/14).

     The road signs kept beckoning me to be more mindful, so I made the decision to enroll in the 8 week online MBSR course.  I am also reading the revised edition of Full Catastrophe Living, by Kabat-Zinn, which is considered the MBSR bible.  In future posts I will share with you, my readers the basic principles of MBSR as I learn and practice them.  My hope is that it will inspire you to do the same in your quest for a more balanced life.

     Even after I made this commitment, the Universe reinforced this decision with one more road sign.  One morning, I read the Parade Magazine that comes with our Sunday newspaper.  The cover title was “The #1 Health-Booster in 2015: Politicians, Children, and Celebrities are doing it-Shouldn’t You?” (1/11/15).  I was intrigued enough to read the full article on the enclosed pages, and wouldn’t you know it: The #1 Health-Booster in 2015 is- Mindfulness.  How’s that for the Universe speaking directly at you? 

References

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Full Catastrophe Living (2^nd ed.). New York: Bantam Books.

Meleo-Meyer, F. & Santorelli, S. The MBSR Online Course: An 8-Week Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  Retrieved from http://www.soundstrue.com/store/the-mbsr-online-course-3226.html on 2/3/2015.

Pickert, K. (2014, February 3). The Art of Being Mindful. Time, 40-46.

Sole-Smith, V. (2015, January 11). The #1 Health-Booster in 2015. Parade, 10-14.

Our Personal Responsibility to the World

     From the moment we took our first breath on this Earth we were given the most precious gift of life.  For this privilege, and unbeknownst to us at the time, we made a contract with God (however you call or honor this higher being), the rest of the world, and the Universe to do what we need to make this a better place live.  Most notably, in peace and harmony with each other.

The Holistic Triangle

     Every day the mass media presents us with stories of fellow beings who abuse this privilege and do not honor their end of the contract.  However, this does not mean that we should follow in these same footsteps.  Quite the contrary, we must do what it takes to live a more balanced life with respect to the mind, body, and spirit paradigm (our holistic triangle).  Our very existence is predicated upon the fact that we are all energetic beings who can project both the positive and negative aspects of ourselves onto others.  Let’s take a look at how this happens, and what we can do to right the ship (so to speak).  Remember this: an imbalance on one side of the triangle that goes uncorrected, will ultimately lead to an imbalance of the other two sides, as they are all interrelated.

The Mind

Mind

     Life is not easy, and no one ever told us it would be.  In fact, it can become very overwhelming and lead to various psycho-emotional conditions such as: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and anger management issues just to name a few.  These conditions can lend to the projection of negativity onto the world. Other people can, and do, absorb this type of energy.  Can you remember a time when an angry co-worker entered the workplace and the entire mood of the group immediately changed?  How did you feel: ramped up, drained, exhausted?  How do our own moods affect others?

     Our life contract asks us to improve the world in a positive way.  One way we can do this is to seek help. Professional counselors or peer support groups can assist us in finding ways to balance our emotions, and turn negatives into positives.  If we learn to quiet the mind, the soul will awaken to a more balanced existence. 

The Body

     We often hear fitness gurus quoted as saying the body is a temple and should be treated with respect.  When it comes to the physical aspect of our being, we veer off course quite frequently and lose our way.  There are only 24 hours in a day and regular exercise/good nutrition often take a back seat to a job, family responsibilities, and a multitude of other activities that are connected to the same.  In today’s society, we often reach for comfort foods, high caloric cravings (refined sugars, processed foods), alcohol, or soda pop that temporarily numb the ramped up stress response.                                                                                                                                                               

Body

     Inevitably, our sedentary life style leads to weight gain, and potentially a negative self-image when we look in the mirror.  We can become depressed (which brings us full circle back to the mind), become more stressed, eat more, and continue this vicious circle until the body says “enough!”  An unbalanced mind can also lead to the above scenario, as well as opposing eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.  Keep in mind that everything relates to everything else (rule number one of an anatomy and physiology class).

     So how can we turn this negative into a positive?  Once again, we can turn to professional counseling or support groups that can assist us in treating the mental imbalance which may be the underlying cause of our physical ailments.  Also, consider working with a trained exercise professional, nutritionist and/or dietician who can help you set and remain accountable to your goals.  Sometimes, all we need is a little encouragement to push us from the nest, and away we fly.  Even the slightest improvement in our self-image will lead to the positivity that our life contract with the world asks of us.  Lao Tzu once said: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  Be willing to take that first step and the world will thank you for it.

The Spirit

Spirit

     You can agree or disagree with me on this, but I truly believe that it is the spirit which drives our very existence as human beings.  Think about the last time there was a tornado that tore through a small bedroom community.  The first images we see are of the extent of the destruction, as well as the emotionally overwhelmed citizens of the affected town.  The cameras capture the utter agony as people search for lost loved ones or a family pet(s).  Some of the first utterances are “I don’t know what we are going to do next” or “How are we going to survive?”  That my friends, is a broken spirit: one in which you start thinking that you will never see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I can recall countless stories like this one, which are revisited by the media on the first anniversary following the disaster.  Curiously, I observe the same thing: no matter how broken the spirit was initially, and like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, these communities always rebuild the foundation from the ground up.  The common thread that bound them to each other was, you guessed it: positivity.

    Not every one of us will be faced with a natural disaster, but a series of events (several deaths or illnesses in the family, divorce, loss of a job) in a short time span can most assuredly break the spirit.  In order to ground ourselves once again, we need to nourish the spiritual side of our holistic triangle.  In addition to professional counseling and support groups, there are several holistic modalities that you may wish to research and pursue to assist you in lifting your spirit from the ashes: acupuncture, reiki, massage therapy, chiropractic care, prayer, yoga, and meditation. 

     We all have a personal responsibility to the world, and the best way to live up to our end of the contract is to follow self-care or preventative maintenance practices to balance the mind, body, and spirit. Start from where you are and move forward, but do not compare or compete with others. Next, assemble the best team possible (of your choosing) to help you with these endeavors.  This year, I am going to hit the streets and interview several holistic practitioners who can provide you with the nuts and bolts of their respective professions.  This, in turn, will give you the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision regarding your own self-care strategies.  Taking care of ourselves is the best way to make this world a better, and more positive place to live.

In health and wellness,

Tim

 

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

 

 

 

PTSD and a Forgotten Segment of the Population

     A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation about PTSD with Christina, who is the business manager for the Natural Health Improvement Center in Alsip.  She related to me that she left previous employment as a veterinary technician because of events she witnessed that had affected her psyche.  A few hours after this conversation, I wondered if vet techs and veterinarians alike might also suffer from PTSD as a result of treating countless sick and injured animals.  Does it bother them when they have to euthanize someone’s beloved family member?

     I began to research this topic and found (on the US National Library of Medicine’s website) an article from The Canadian Veterinary Journal titled Perpetration-induced traumatic stress- A risk for veterinarians involved in the destruction of healthy animals (2014).  In short, the article stated that Canadian veterinarians were involved in the mass killing of healthy piglets (that farmers could no longer provide for) as the result of an economic downturn.  Additionally, the veterinarians had to euthanize large numbers of starving livestock, as well as domesticated animals that were found in hoarding situations (2014).   The article also referenced research that questioned the negative effects of euthanasia on the psycho-emotional disposition of these veterinarians.

     The referenced research noted that the rate of suicide amongst veterinarians in the UK, was approximately 3 times the rate of the general population.  The Canadian Journal referred to this psycho-emotional upset as Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress (PITS) which is a variation of PTSD.  So what is PITS?  Wikipedia notes that PITS, also known as Participation-Induced Traumatic Stress, occurs when the symptoms of PTSD are caused by an act or acts of killing or similar horrific violence (2015).  With PITS, there is direct participation in act of killing such as military veterans who are serving in a war, or in the case of this article, veterinarians who euthanized healthy animals.  The general population, on the other hand, can suffer from PTSD as the result of indirect, vicarious participation in a horrific event (remember the countless hours of TV coverage concerning September 11^th, 2001). The difference being, in the case of the veterinarians, it was the direct involvement in euthanasia that precipitated the PITS.

 

 

  The article also spoke about the “limited efficacy of debriefing, and peer support as a stress management tool” for veterinarians that work for animal welfare and shelter medicine (2014).  In the end, the article made a call to action by stating that the identification of PITS as a problem, is a good starting point to look for a solution (2014).   So why blog about this topic?

     Several years ago, our dog named Chief was euthanized after a sudden onset illness.  In the days following, I wrote a letter to my family and friends on the lessons I learned on that very night.  I am going to share this letter with you, my readers, and ask you to think about a couple of important points.  First, reflect on powerful lessons that Chief taught me in his final moments on this Earth.  These were truly wonderful gifts he left Judy and I and I hope in some way it will also give you comfort as life’s events unfold before you.

     Secondly, I am sharing this story with you as food for thought regarding PITS and veterinarians.  Chief’s death had such a profound impact on me and this letter conveys my feelings and thoughts as I experienced them.  So it begs the question: How does the mental, emotional, and physical anguish of the pet parent effect the veterinarian who also shared this same experience, as well as repeated experiences?

  This segment of the population needs emotional comfort as well.  Some point in time after the loss of a beloved animal, we should reconnect with that vet and let them know that what they did was a humane act to end the suffering of a sick animal.  Send a letter of thanks, give them a hug, or share mutual tears.  It is often said that time heals all wounds, and so does direct interpersonal communication.  Here is my lessons learned from Chief:

     “It is with heart felt sadness that I am writing to tell you that our dog Chief was euthanized on October 21st after he was suddenly weakened by an undetected illness.  Chief was rushed to the Emergency Vet who had determined that a tumor on his spleen had ruptured and caused internal bleeding.  He was in a lot of pain and we had always promised him that we would never let him suffer.  Chief was brought into an adjacent room from ours for initial treatment. Our faithful and loyal friend had heard the anguish of his parents and came running towards the exam room where we were waiting to of all things, comfort us. 

     We were so blessed to share our lives with Chief, and will one day be reunited with him on the other side.  He took care of us far more than we ever did him.  Whenever we were sick or sad, he was always there to comfort us.  In his final moments on this Earth, I learned two very important lessons from him which were such wonderful gifts to leave us:

1.  When faced with adversity, always hold your head up high and stand straight

 

     Up to the very end Chief stood proud and tall with his head held high.  The first lesson I learned is that no matter what curves life throws you (even if you feel in dire straits), keep your head up and look life straight in the eyes, even if you have to do so through gritted teeth.  In the end, it is going to be all right, it will just take time.

 

2.  Always hold true to your values, morals, beliefs, and convictions no matter what others may think of you.

 

     Facing death in his final moments, Chief was standing next to us holding to the convictions with which he was raised:  be loyal, always comfort, and protect from harm.  When I looked into his eyes for the last time, I could feel the pain he was going through. Like the true protector and comforter that he was, Chief refused to face his illness on a bended knee.  The second lesson I learned was that if you are raised with certain convictions, morals, values, and ethics hold true to them.  People may try to sway or change you to how they want you to be.  Stand fast, and never give in to what you do not feel is right.   We tried to get Chief to lie down and be more comfortable but he stood literally, by his convictions.

 

I am still in awe at how he left me with such wonderful gifts and thoughts to ponder, all the rest of my days. I hope these lessons will help all of you, our family and friends as well”.

 

With Love and Affection,

Tim

 

 

References

US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health (2014).  Perpetration-induced traumatic stress- A risk for veterinarians involved in the destruction of healthy animals.  Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119248/ on 12/30/2014.

Wikipedia.com (2015).  Perpetration-induced traumatic stress.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetration-induced_traumatic_stress on 1/9/2015.

2014: A Year of Healing and Gratitude

     As this year quickly draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to help me heal from the wounds of PTSD.  In my most popular post titled Paying It Forward . . . A Gift to Ourselves and Humanity (6/1/2014), I thanked many people who were instrumental in my transformation from a broken spirit to a more balanced existence.

    Several months have passed since that post and I have become more attuned to the way that universal energy affects the very fabric of our being.  For the first time in over 50 years of living on this planet, I can say that I am truly at peace with respect to the mind, body, and spirit.  A few weeks ago, I sent the staff at the Natural Health Improvement Center of Alsip a letter of gratitude for the amazing work that was done on my behalf inside the walls of what I termed, a house of healing.  As I say goodbye to 2014, I want to share these sentiments with you, my readers.  Although what I wrote only scratches the surface of how I feel, it will at least give you a snapshot into this unique world of healing.  Be well, enjoy, and I will see you in 2015:

A Year of Healing and Gratitude

Dear Dr. Stacy,

     When I first walked into the Natural Health Improvement Center my mind, body, and spirit were almost broken by more than a decade and a half of battling with PTSD.  However, as the many months have passed, I can truly say that I am well on my way to a more balanced life.  Having said this, I would be remiss if I did not thank the following people:

To Dr. Stacy: Ross Perot once said “Eagles don’t flock, you have to find them one at a time.” This I can say, that you have certainly gathered for yourself some of the best and most compassionate people to work with you in this healing house.  Our journey towards healing my body (organs) from the wounds of an overactive stress response has only just begun, but I already feel the progress being made.

To Danielle, Colleen, and Christina: Collectively you are the front face and first point of entry into this practice.  Your superior command of the products and services offered has restored my faith in the art of good customer service.  Additionally, you take a vested interest in the lives of each client by actively sharing in our successes along the road to wellville.  Human interpersonal communication is one of the best methods of healing the soul.

To Dr. Kat:  Thank you so much for keeping this “Humpty Dumpty” together in one piece while I took a walk from the dark side of the moon, back into the light of personal wellbeing.  I still have a way to go, but with your help I can effectively balance the weight of this journey squarely on my shoulders.

To Erin: When I first inquired about acupuncture as a way to heal myself, Danielle described you as being brilliant.  This is only one of many things you offer to your clients.  I am truly blessed that our paths crossed at what was a critical moment in my life (as you always say it’s the Universe speaking to us).  You are the best spiritual healer/guide that I could have joined forces with.  What I truly appreciate is that you describe our relationship not as a practitioner-client, but rather as teacher-student. That, my friend, is why I more firmly rooted to Mother Earth once again.  I bow deeply in gratitude for the lessons you have taught me.

     I am sure after the many conversations we have had, by now you know that Judy and I have a strong spiritual connection to the Hawaiian Islands.  When one has been accepted by the Hawaiian people, you become Ohana (family).  We both consider each one of you Ohana, for all that you have done, and all that you continue to do to build this House of Aloha.  If there is anything I can do to help spread or support your mission of healing, please do not hesitate to call.

As they say in Hawaiian: Aloha, Mahalo nui loa, and during this time of year: Mele Kalikimaka.

                                                         With abiding respect and gratitude,

                                   

                                                            Tim Grutzius

A Good Guy Who Is Winning

It is always reported in the media that during the Christmas Holiday season we see a spike in cases of depression, suicide, and suicide attempts.  In my 20+ years of experience as a paramedic with the Alsip Fire Department, I find this not to be the case.  Depression and suicide/attempts seem to be a year-round occurrence with no end in sight.  Our world seems to be out of balance and many people are falling into a downward spiral of despair.

     I have never experienced severe depression and therefore, do not know what it is like to walk in the shoes of those that do.  I can only speak to what it is like to be left behind in the wake of a suicide, as has been chronicled since the inception of this blog.  Today, I am going to introduce you to a new-found friend of mine who is a fellow firefighter named Steve.

     I was connected with Steve a few months ago when he was directed my way for help in writing a blog.  Steve, in his own right, has an incredible story of survival to tell about his battle with depression.  He is someone who has walked in the very shoes I do not. Although the target audience of his blog reaches out to fellow firefighters who share a similar experience as himself, do not let this deter you, or anyone you might know (who may be depressed or suicidal) from reading the content.   Steve does not speak from a firefighter’s perspective, but rather a human being whose mission it is to provide hope to others through his own life’s lessons.  You can find the link to his blog in the right hand column of this page or, at Depression in the Firehouse.

 

     Steve is very open and honest about his struggles.  However, from the phone conversations I have had with him, he is winning and wants others to do the same.  It is for this reason that I consider him a personal hero. 

     In staying true to this blog’s format, I leave you with a song by Jimmy Buffett titled “Good Guys Win” which says it all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Tim

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

 

 

 

So Why Is It That I Like the Grinch So Much?

Google Images

     In 1957, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel wrote and published the timeless children’s classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2014).  I remember growing up as a kid waiting for this time of year because I knew the animated feature of the same name would soon be on TV.  When the film version starring Jim Carrey was released in 2000, I had to see it on the first day.  I possess the following Grinch items: A 6 foot tall singing Grinch, coffee mug, pajama bottoms, Christmas stocking, the 40^th Anniversary edition of the book, and one each stuffed Grinch and Max; all of which are brought out of storage on the day after Thanksgiving.  So why is it that I like the Grinch so much?

     While it may seem to you, my readers, that I am on Grinch overload, the answer to this question is quite simple.  The story of the Grinch is about transformation.  The expanded movie version tells the story of the Grinch (who was a Who), and how he was ostracized and made fun of because he was different, even eccentric one might say.

Google Images

     The Grinch grew to become heartless, and despised all things that were Christmas because of a painful childhood memory.  As the story continued, he hatched a plot to steal everything (that represented this holiday) away from every Who down in Who-ville out of spite, and to get even.  However, the Who people were undeterred by his efforts and celebrated Christmas without all the toys, lights, and roast beast.

Google Images

     Upon seeing this high up from Mount Crumpit, the Grinch had a change of heart and realized that Christmas was much more that about commercialization.  In fact, his heart grew “three sizes that day” (1985).  This was his moment of truth, as he looked in the proverbial mirror and did not like what he saw staring back at him.  In the end, the Grinch took personal responsibility for his actions and returned everything he stole.  For this gesture, he was rewarded and blessed with new found friends, who looked past his differences and accepted him as one of their own.

     We can all take a page out of the Grinch’s playbook when it comes to transformation.  The recurrent theme of this blog is all about self-care of the mind-body-spirit paradigm.  It is also about taking a journey towards a more balanced life.  In order to effect this transformation, we, like the Grinch, must take personal responsibility for our own wellbeing.  Nobody else is going to do it for us.

     So as a new year quickly approaches, let’s continue to take the road less traveled.  If you are a new reader, please join in on the conversation.  As Lao Tzu once said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.  I leave you with this you tube video that contains the lyrics to the end title song of the Jim Carrey version of the Grinch.  As the words unfold, watch for the inspirational transformation.

Mele Kalikimaka,

Tim

 

References

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2014).  Wikipedia.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas! On 12/12/14.

Geisel, T. (renewed 1985). How The Grinch Stole Christmas 40^th Anniversary Edition.  New York: Random House.

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 17th, 2006: My Day on Infamy

     Today marks the Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the USS Arizona.  Three years ago, I wrote a descriptive essay for an English composition class about my visit to this historic site.  In retrospect, it was also a time when I initially experienced the power of universal energy, from the moment I stepped aboard the Arizona Memorial.  This was also the beginning of my journey towards self-discovery and a lifelong partnership with energy work.  I now share with you this essay in remembrance of the lives lost protecting our freedoms.  Enjoy:

USS Arizona

   “On December 7^th, 1941 the USS Arizona was sunk in a matter of minutes when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, carrying with it over 1,100 sailors.  Years later, a memorial was built, which now rests over the submerged Arizona as a lasting tribute to those entombed in its hull.  As both an American, and a veteran of the US Army, there was nothing more moving than my day spent on Infamy.

Entrance to Memorial

     It was an exceptionally clear blue sky the day I visited the Arizona Memorial and from a distance, it resembled the ribbed carcass of a giant white whale with a concave back.  An American flag flew proudly, approximately fifteen feet above on a steady pole.  As the transportation boat motored closer, my heart skipped a beat in anticipation of disembarkation.  The boat angled to a stop and was tied off to a small pier.  A sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor, grasped my right hand and assisted me on to the platform. I joined approximately 150 people and moved single file into the “mouth of the whale” (main entrance).   I looked up and saw large stone letters, mounted three feet above the entrance that hailed, “U.S.S. ARIZONA MEMORIAL”.

Inside the "Whale"

     I walked a few more feet into the memorial foyer and to the immediate right, a park ranger sternly reminded us that we stood on top of a gravesite, therefore respect was paramount.  The ranger was stationed in front of a backdrop of several flags uniformly lined up like soldiers in formation, and I recognized one to be the State Flag of Hawaii.  I looked straight back to the “tail of the whale”, and noted the arched support structures above me resembled ribs and intercostal spaces that formed seven openings on both the left and right sides of the memorial.  The single file line moved from the right, to the rear, and then the left side of the memorial.

Memorial Wall

     I leaned over one of the openings on the right side and noticed that the Arizona herself lied perpendicular to the structure and I vividly saw the outline of the forward area of the ship.  Oil from the engine room below bubbled to the surface and ebbed slowly out towards the Pacific Ocean.  As I walked to the rear or “tail”, I was greeted by a ten foot by ten foot marble wall that contained the names of the fallen that were buried with the Arizona.  A rope barrier, similar to one found in movie theaters, prevented me from approaching the wall, otherwise I would have traced my fingers in the engravings.  I made the turn towards the left side of the “whale” which allowed viewing of the aft area of the ship.  I noticed an elderly Japanese woman toss a flower into the water and my knees weakened.  Somehow, I knew she was connected to a sailor entombed below.  The most curious observation I made during my thirty minute visit was the reverent silence.  Not one of the one-hundred and fifty people spoke, and if I wanted, I could have heard a nickel fall on wet grass (if grass were nearby)

 

     I once again boarded the transportation boat for the return trip across the harbor.  As I looked back at the Memorial one last time, I pondered what life would be like if the war had gone the other way.  I thanked God that we won, otherwise, I may not enjoy the freedoms that I take for granted each day.  Freedoms, these fallen sailors no longer enjoy”.

 

 

Dedicated to those who lost someone on this pivotal day in our Nation's History