Grief shared is half the grief_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Grief shared is half the grief

Since childhood, we have been through numerous rituals and ceremonies where we did what we were told to do. This was one exception. The great majority of people participated in something because they truly wanted to. It took the government only to designate the time.

And what timing! Seven days to the exact minute. In folk tradition, the seventh day is the first big mark for remembrance of the dead. A week had gone by and people were simply searching for ways to express their deep sorrow, but not knowing exactly what was appropriate.

On May 13, the day after the big quake, I received a short message from a professor who "strongly suggested" that we lower the national flag to half-mast and suspend all entertainment activities, among other requests. I thought his proposal was great, but had little chance of turning into reality because the government was so immersed in rescue and relief. Who would pay attention to such protocol? Besides, this kind of observance is reserved for people like late Chairman Mao Zedong.

Of course, there are other more spontaneous channels for grief and compassion like attending candlelight vigils and donation drives. There was no lack of heartbreaking and heartwarming feelings. What puzzled me was a shortage of verbal expressions - songs and slogans - that would fit the solemnity.

We do not have music masterpieces like Beethoven's Ninth Symphony that can elevate a tragedy to a supreme bonding of humanity. Many of the songs used by the televised donation gala were festive in nature. And the singers did not even bother to revise the lyrics to reflect the current disaster. It turned out the National Anthem was one of the few that was appropriate.