More From "The Wall": He's Gone

OK, Folks, In my mind's eye, I'm back at "The Wall"
As I reflect on my blog post last week after my Class of 1968 Memorial Ceremony at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, I know I flinched by withholding five words.  Granite Truth: Message from The Wall

Here is the "Updated" version of that section:

"Look.  Come closer.  Allow my presence to teach you about me," the Wall seems to whisper reverently.  "Find the panel where your friend's name is located.  Read it.  Read it.  Read it again.  He's gone.  Notice your thoughts and feelings.  He's really gone.  OK, Stop and take a deep breath."

"Now step back and view all of me.  Notice the wholeness of my message.  Allow it to be within you."

"Notice now that your name isn't carved on me.  It's OK to feel relieved.  And obligated."

The Wall gives the firm, final message, "He's gone." But, knowing we still can't or won't believe it, it repeats with emphasis, "He's really gone."

Our grief filters block those words for a while.  The Wall seems to know that we need more time and visits to allow the grief to reconcile us to the loss.

"He's gone.  He's really gone."

"Look.  Come closer.  Allow my presence to teach you about me," the Wall seems to whisper reverently.  "Find the panel where your friend's name is located.  Read it.  Read it.  Read it again.  Notice your thoughts and feelings.  OK, Stop and take a deep breath."

"Now step back and view all of me.  Notice the wholeness of my message.  Allow it to be within you."

"Notice now that your name isn't carved on me.  It's OK to feel relieved.  And obligated."

"There.  Your heart is grasping some of the meaning of my "Granite Truth".  Not too fast.  Not too much at once."

"Come back when you're ready.  Peace to you, too."
- See more at: http://drsynonymous.blogspot.com/2013/06/granite-truth-message-from-wall.html#sthash.j9j8mxrF.dpuf

"Look.  Come closer.  Allow my presence to teach you about me," the Wall seems to whisper reverently.  "Find the panel where your friend's name is located.  Read it.  Read it.  Read it again.  Notice your thoughts and feelings.  OK, Stop and take a deep breath."

"Now step back and view all of me.  Notice the wholeness of my message.  Allow it to be within you."

"Notice now that your name isn't carved on me.  It's OK to feel relieved.  And obligated."

"There.  Your heart is grasping some of the meaning of my "Granite Truth".  Not too fast.  Not too much at once."

"Come back when you're ready.  Peace to you, too."
- See more at: http://drsynonymous.blogspot.com/2013/06/granite-truth-message-from-wall.html#sthash.j9j8mxrF.dpuf

"Look.  Come closer.  Allow my presence to teach you about me," the Wall seems to whisper reverently.  "Find the panel where your friend's name is located.  Read it.  Read it.  Read it again.  Notice your thoughts and feelings.  OK, Stop and take a deep breath."

"Now step back and view all of me.  Notice the wholeness of my message.  Allow it to be within you."

"Notice now that your name isn't carved on me.  It's OK to feel relieved.  And obligated."

"There.  Your heart is grasping some of the meaning of my "Granite Truth".  Not too fast.  Not too much at once."

"Come back when you're ready.  Peace to you, too."
- See more at: http://drsynonymous.blogspot.com/2013/06/granite-truth-message-from-wall.html#sthash.j9j8mxrF.dpuf