Marking the Date
Yesterday was the six month anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster. It was also the date of my first presentation on my new book, which devotes the last section of images and writing to the event. As I shared about my work at the Gulf during the heaviest part of the spill and my continued commitment to documenting the unfolding story there, interest from the group was keen. One of my deepest fears is that people will forget and return to status quo, foregoing the lessons the spill can teach us. This group wanted to learn more and their interest went beyond the allotted time for the event. People have a desire to be informed. This fact gave me hope.
Even though I’m visiting the coast monthly, I have not openly discussed my experience lately. Reading from my book and sharing images from July and August made the sense of trauma, of rawness return. Later in the day I found myself anxious, on edge, and reliving the trauma I felt while standing on the beaches watching ankle-deep oily sludge coat the pure white sand, killing everything it touched.
It was many weeks after the major inundation of oil that I realized I was experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Gradually I was able to work through them because I was aware and took steps to nurture beauty in my life, meditate, exercise, eat healthy foods. Yesterday I saw myself three months ago and knew I had healed a lot. But what about others? The people that live there, the animals, plants, water, sand/soil?
I return soon for another week on the Gulf Coast. My plan is to visit the seven sensitive land areas and immerse myself in observation of birds, animals, and daily functions of the ecosystems there. Sitting with a sick friend helps you learn more about their condition, right? So that’s my intention for this visit. I’m taking crystals people have sent as a gift of healing for the earth and with them, their prayers for restoration and health of the land, water, air, wildlife, plant life, and people.
As we look back on this event that continues to unfold, may we remember the 11 human lives lost and the countless lives of wildlife…sea turtles, birds, whales, dolphins, fish and microscopic life we rarely consider. May we remember as a way to honor them and to become honorable planetary stewards.