Second American Journalist murdered by ISIS- Steven Sotloff, just two weeks after they beheaded James Foley. While the headlines spark political debates and finger pointing, all I can think about are the parents of these two young men. To lose a child in such a horrifying way, even after pleading for his life, in Shirley Sotloff’s case, is unfathomable.
To the world Sotloff and Foley are “the tw…o beheaded American Journalists”. But, at the end of the day, these were two women’s babies. They carried them, gave birth to them, saved their first teeth and locks of hair. They snapped pictures of them going off to prom, watched them graduate from college. I wonder if all of these moments keep flashing through their minds, or if all they can think of are the inescapable images taken from their sons’ final moments.
Be angry at whomever you want. Blame Obama. I am sure the Westboro Baptist Church has found a way to blame homosexuals. None of that can possibly matter to the parents of Steven and James. These were two men who had whole lives, filled up with memories and experiences, just like the rest of us.
My heart hurts each time I see Steven or James’ parents on the TV or internet. No parent should out-live their child, but I do not even want to imagine how destroyed my mother and father would be if one of us were slaughtered. I spoke with my own mother once about a TV character’s last words before she died a horrible death, “tell my mother it didn’t hurt.” My mother got teary eyed and said she could not bear to think of one of her children suffering in their final moments- or any moment.
There is no way to lie to James or Steven’s mothers and tell them that “it didn’t hurt”. They know, graphically, how their babies’ lives ended. Yes, we have to “do something”, certainly try to stop this brutality, but while the bickering ensues, my heart and my thoughts are with the parents of Steven and James right now.
To the world Sotloff and Foley are “the tw…o beheaded American Journalists”. But, at the end of the day, these were two women’s babies. They carried them, gave birth to them, saved their first teeth and locks of hair. They snapped pictures of them going off to prom, watched them graduate from college. I wonder if all of these moments keep flashing through their minds, or if all they can think of are the inescapable images taken from their sons’ final moments.
Be angry at whomever you want. Blame Obama. I am sure the Westboro Baptist Church has found a way to blame homosexuals. None of that can possibly matter to the parents of Steven and James. These were two men who had whole lives, filled up with memories and experiences, just like the rest of us.
My heart hurts each time I see Steven or James’ parents on the TV or internet. No parent should out-live their child, but I do not even want to imagine how destroyed my mother and father would be if one of us were slaughtered. I spoke with my own mother once about a TV character’s last words before she died a horrible death, “tell my mother it didn’t hurt.” My mother got teary eyed and said she could not bear to think of one of her children suffering in their final moments- or any moment.
There is no way to lie to James or Steven’s mothers and tell them that “it didn’t hurt”. They know, graphically, how their babies’ lives ended. Yes, we have to “do something”, certainly try to stop this brutality, but while the bickering ensues, my heart and my thoughts are with the parents of Steven and James right now.
(I am not posting a link to any article, because they all take you to a page with some still shot of the final moments of one of these two men. I refuse to endorse that.)
Love Your Life 
Leslie, I feel the same. Your comments are so “on spot”. This is how most people think but politics are all we hear. I would like to pass this on, if you do not care, and please post to facebook, if you haven’t already. I am so inspired by you. After losing your job, you hold your head up high and are doing so much good. I loved your blog about running the crim. I have never been one for sports or physical activity of any kind but I need to start now since I have gained a lot of weight after I survived breast cancer in 2006. Before that in 2003 I had both knees replaced so I cannot run or do high impact exercises but I can do what I can and laugh about what I can’t. I have always loved you on tv and am loving your blog. It helps take my mind off my husband’s health problems. Thank you for being my inspiration. Cyndee Lehner
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 00:36:31 +0000 To: lehnercyndee@hotmail.com
Hey just looked you up today because I haven’t seen you at 4pm. Miss you bunches. Love the blog. Laughed and cried, especially about this story. Oh, saw you in the TCT this past sunday.
Thank you so much! I am in there again this weekend. Yikes. Slow news month. LOL