So, it is nearly Christmas. A time of many thoughts and feelings. A time of good wishes and hopes and time with family. A time of joy and renewal.
Yet it also is a time of struggle for many because of all the expectations that are generated about the season. A time of assault from advertising and the push to celebrate by buying and consuming. Sometimes it is hard to find the grace and humanity in the season.
Ah, so cynical...
So I was touched today to see the images and read the words of an amazing Pulitzer-prize winning war photographer from Germany by the name of Anja Niedringhaus.
I have never met her, but I think she is a woman of immense grace.
Her photographic work is breathtaking.
Her humanity is clear.
Below is one of Ms. Niedringhaus's images, and a quote from her article about a young wounded Marine she met in Afghanistan, the photographs she took during his medevac out of the field, and her search to find him afterwards.
In her images and in her words, Ms. Niedringhaus speaks of the courage of Marine Cpl. Burness Britt, his colleagues and his family. She speaks of hope and hard work and persistence. She speaks about the power of being joined by a touch and a piece of wheat. She speaks about the power of human connection. She speaks about the power of images to heal. And she reminds me about those completely unplanned incidents that occur sometimes in life that are unexpectedly powerful and life changing.
To be clear: The following image and text are copyright 2011 by Anja Niedringhaus.
"Inside the medevac helicopter in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine Cpl. Burness Britt bleeds profusely from his neck. He and two other Marines have just been hit by shrapnel, with Britt's injuries the most serious. The medevac crew chief clutches one of Britt's blood covered hands as he is given oxygen. I take hold of the other.
With my free hand, I lift my camera and take some pictures. I squeeze Britt's hand and he returns the gesture, gripping my palm tighter and tighter until he slips into unconsciousness. His shirt is ripped, but I notice a piece of wheat stuck to it. I pluck it off and tuck it away in the pocket of my body armor.
In my 20 years as a photographer, covering conflicts from Bosnia to Gaza to Iraq to Afghanistan, injured civilians and soldiers have passed through my life many times. None has left a greater impression on me than Britt."
Ms. Niedringhaus works hard to find Cpl. Britt. He remembers her and they eventually meet. He is glad to see her and they again join hands. He asks to see her images. It seems that to do so is healing for him, perhaps because in a time of war and trauma, her images are reminders about compassion. And then she gives him the piece of wheat...
Read the article. Here is the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/wounded-marine-inspires-ap-photographers-search-160517834.html
I am grateful to Ms Niedringhaus. In a small way she has reminded me about what is really important at this time of year.
So I honor her. I honor her compassion, her skill and her grace. And I am touched by the power of photography, humanity and a piece of wheat.
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