Keeping the Sail High

At the end of the afternoon it became clear, that the historic republican march in Paris went well. Without incidents or possibly worse, millions of french - and foreign - citizens showed their solidarity and resistance towards terrorism. Under the guidance of their president, joined by a remarkable group of international friends, the public reclaimed its freedom in the public space. Protected by a massive police force, the public and the politicians showed their faces. An exposition not without dangerous risk. But fortunately fearlessness or overcoming fear won. And with this courage to overcome or transcend sorrow, despair and loss of vital meaning, a new future shaped its destiny as humanity. Tomorrow morning a new agenda has to be put in action. Some parts of today”s events in Paris, I could follow on tv. I couldn’t describe now what I felt by all I saw and heard. Not to forget: there was this Muslim mother of a muslim french soldier murdered by a terrorist in Toulouse in 2012. She sat together in the studio with the jewish father of the young jew executed in the kosher supermarket. She spoke to console him, reminding him of the deeper meaning in the heroic behaviour of both young men. I will not forget the fathers face listening to her.

Meanwhile, in between all the different removal things and the historic events of this sunday, Willemien and I found a moment to visit the stormy seaside. There was a strong freezing wind blowing straight from sea. Some kitesurfers were challenging the big tumblers. Keeping their sails high. Indeed, we have to make this effort again and again keeping high our ideas, convictions, ideals or dreams, beliefs or principles. Just in order to overcome or transcend the roughness of the fluid everyday world. Even the practice of satire is something else than mockery alone, or a laughing matter.