H.T., Carlos, Francis, & Me

It was just over a year ago that I wrote about my personal experiences with terrorists—urban guerrillas they were called in those days—in relation to the London bombings. I had forgotten about that blog post until last evening when I began reflecting on the carnage of the Mumbai bombings. I ended that blog post with the words I realize that for everyone living in this age, the intimidation of the unending threat of unexpected violence has become a terrible part of life.

This afternoon I stopped for gasoline at the convenience store owned by my friends from India. H.T., the father, was working behind the counter. Of course, our conversation centered on the yesterday’s Mumbai (Bombay) bombings. H.T. told me that he had telephoned a friend who lives in Bombay (H.T. refuses to use the “new”—to us English speakers—spelling and pronunciation); the man had been near to where the eight bombs exploded. He said that it was rush hour and the streets and trains were filled with people. The terrorists could not have chosen a more destructive moment to detonate their bombs.

When we ended our conversation, H.T, said, “It is terrible that for today and for our grandchildren’s children sudden bloodshed has become a way of life.” It seems that H.T, and I agree: this “war on terrorism” will last for generations…unless, of course, someone is willing to set about following the advice of Carlos Santana that I shared yesterday.

Oh! And let us not forget Saint Francis, whose prayer many of us pray each day.