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Friday, May 21, 2010

Weltschmerz...

I haven't posted in over a week now. A lot of stuff has been going on here - mostly not good. Do you ever have those days or even weeks where everything goes wrong? When you get really depressed and the world is such a sad place. In German we call it Weltschmerz. I looked it up in my dictionary and found no translation. Looks like it's been incorporated in the English language.
First we had this stupid snow storm destroy everything. Then I got some bad news from Germany. Nothing is selling in my etsy shop or sales keep falling through. The news of the oilspill and bad economy are not helping either. But what is all of that compared to this story:
http://http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20005589-504083.html

About two months ago a 12-year-old girl disappeared from our community. Kayleah Wilson was her name. It was right around the time of my daughter's birthday. Pictures of Kayleah were posted in the movie theatre where we celebrated my child's birthday. In fact, Kayleah went missing walking to a friend's birthday party - 8 blocks away from her house. Her body was found yesterday - after torrential rains from the night before washed it out from a shallow grave or hiding place.

How do we explain that to our children? How is it possible that a little girl my children's' age could come to this horrible end in a small town like Greeley, Colorado?
It seems like not too long ago I had been discussing with other parents, at what age we could let our kids ride their bikes to places alone. Now I feel like saying: Never! It's not safe.

Please, pray for this little girl and her family! Pray for our community, that the killer will be found and brought to justice. I used to think of this town as a sleepy little place. I missed the excitement of the city. But heck, at least I felt it was a safe place to raise children. What of it now?

Sorry for sharing my weltschmerz with you. Maybe you can help me get out of this funk with some good news and uplifting comments.

16 comments:

Stephanie Thomas Berry said...

Perhaps it will help to know that my daughter loves her wee pocket baby? Just yesterday she was sewing a wee dress for her. I know it's a small thing up against such a terrible loss in your community. I think many of us have similar stories of loss within our communities and families, which makes it even more sad. Sometimes all we can do is bring all the love and beauty to the world that we can, and pray, pray, pray.

Unknown said...

Tragic. My son walks to the bus stop a few blocks away, every morning. I make him text me when he gets on the bus. He's almost 15, and protests, but understands. We had a predator not long ago attempting to snatch kids as they waited for their school bus.
The world is not a safe place.
Although.. we used to live in a community where I let my kids ride their bikes all over the place. They didn't have cell phones to check in either. But they were almost always with a pack of kids, so it felt safe.
There are bad people out there.
I'm so sorry you're feeling down and sad. Sit outside for a while today, and feel the sun (or the rain) on your face. Sit under a tree and feel the strength. Life is not all bad, there is much that is good.

Stephanie said...

That's terrible!!! When I was 6 or 7 a girl the same age as me was kidnapped and killed. I remember being really scared for long time. Anyone who lived around there still remembers Mindy Tran. My heart goes out to your community and her family

germandolls said...

I suppose that is the only good thing that comes out of this horrible situation. It makes us be more aware of the dangers and talk to our children about them. It's hard to find ballance though. How do you explaine it without totally scaring them?
Living in Germany I walked everywhere as a child. I was never afraid of predators or kidnappers. It wasn't even a topic of discussion...Is the US so much worse? And why is that?

mrsbeccijo said...

Bad things do happen and it is hard to tell kids. But keeping our kids safe is a parents top priority!
As for the down mood you are in the best thing to do is focus on your blessing. Write them down share them with you friends and family...blog about them.
The more you are grateful the more positive things will happen in your life.

Don't focus on it being sad that she was taken, focus on her being safe and coming home...how powerful would that be if all the people of your community took time together to visualize that!!!

germandolls said...

Beccijo, yesterday the little girls was found DEAD half a mile from where she lived! For two months I was praying and visualizing her safe return. Now we all KNOW that she is gone and there is a murderer in our small town!

The Sitting Tree said...

I have a feeling that it's just as safe now as it was when we were kids. Unfortunately, we have the media now to tell us how fearful we should be about every little thing.

I'm sorry you're in a slump. Sometimes they can be so hard to come out of. How about taking a month off from the negativity of the television/media/news and take this slow time to reinvent something new for your shop!

Chin up~

Saints and Spinners said...

I understand weltschmerz. I think a loose translation is "world weariness" or what Bilbo Baggins describes in The Fellowship of the Ring as feeling like a little butter spread over too much bread.

Untimely death is bad enough, but when there was clearly malice, it's even harder to comprehend. I send my love and good wishes as a candle in the dark.

germandolls said...

Ha, one of my favorite movies! I remember the line with the butter. That's a good way to describe it. I think I'll close the laptop computer for a while and try and find me some more butter...
Thanks, for all your great comments and kind messages, and thoughts!

kat said...

take a deep breath. then another. & another. it's all you can do. your funk will pass. in the meantime - breathe.

Eve's Little Earthlings said...

Oh my goodness...the note I left on the planning thread does not cover this kind of funk. Sadly, there was a similar story up here last year...We all seem to have one today.I always find a good round of housecleaning helps once I get started at it. Also, I know this sounds superficial, but a favourite funny movie helps too. I know you are feeling this loss deeply, but the world IS a beautiful place and we who are still here must enjoy and honour it.

Kelly Casanova said...

Dear Ulla,
There are so many things that can get us down in the course of each day, all I can recommend is to remember to be grateful for the good (of which there is so much but sometimes you must look for it).
My heart goes out to the family of the girl whose innocent life was cut short, this is truly tragic. Yes, in the world that is today we must keep our children close to us.

BirchLeaf Designs - Wendy and Mojo said...

Ulla! Holy Wah...chin up, things will get better...just focus on the positive! Love you!

Mare said...

Oh i am so sorry to hear all of this...I was thinking just the other day there are no really safe places any more. Our little town used to be a safe place, and now the gangs from NYC moved here and there is a colony of them in rental houses on the streets i grew up on. My Mom used to send us out for the day and my sisters and i played in the neighborhood streets all day until suppertime. Those days are gone. We could all keep moving to newer and safer places, but eventually those places get taken over too...I know this is in no way cheering you up, but i wanted you to know i feel the same way you do, and i am praying for you, your town and that little girl and her family....

haddy2dogs said...

This is so sad. When my daughter died our whole community clutched their children close. There are no words to to offer that will change this. What I do know is slowly with patience people heal. I also know even if you don't know the parents a card or some way of support is welcome.

My warmest thoughts are with you.

haddy

germandolls said...

Thanks, Haddy! I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I did not know that you lost a child yourself. I can only imagine the nightmare. You must have enourmous strength to keep going. I am so glad you found it through the community you live in!
Big Hugs, Ulla! XO