Tree Planting Ceremony

My wife and I are very honored by this ceremony. I was never that good at symbolism. Even I can draw a few parallels today. After the devastation caused by the blast, life continues here in the form of a living tree. My wife survived. Life for all of us has changed, but it continues.

We think of a tree as being strong. I have seen the strength in the community, the staff here, and most of all, in my wife.

When I asked Emily if she had any thoughts on today’s ceremony, she said that she was very supportive of it and wanted me to attend. Her goal was that people would remember what has happened here.

Even though all living things die, we think of a tree as being long-lasting. The results of this act are also long-lasting. The nails in my wife’s body and her other wounds will remind her of the attack for the rest of her life. This tree will serve to remind us.

The similarities are clear, but also the differences. This community’s civilized response to the bombing was to plant a tree. I feel that trees are by their nature something that makes us think of peace and calm.

Today is a statement that makes sense to us. Eric Rudolph’s brother made a statement in sharp contrast to this. He took a saw and cut off his own hand. I can not understand this any more than the bombing. To quote what my wife said about the bomber, “What were you thinking?” This was yet another senseless act of violence. It accomplished nothing, other than to cause more pain.

I hold no animosity against Rudolph’s family, town, or associates  unless they are involved. So far, I know of no hard evidence to suggest that his family had anything to do with this. The last thing I wanted was more bloodshed. There has been far too much pain and bloodshed already.

I am encouraged by the fact that people from both sides of the abortion issue have denounced this bombing. Reverend Pinto, one of Birmingham’s most outspoken people against abortion, sent Emily a wonderful card and a donation from his church. Even this person who is so against abortion being a choice, knows that the bombing was wrong. This was not about abortion. This was about the murder of Officer Sanderson and the attempted murder of my wife.

For the most part, the letters we have received have been supportive of Emily’s recovery and condemn the bombing. A few have said that they regret the bomb, but hope that my wife will repent and take this opportunity to speak out against abortion. We have also had one or two who have said that my wife deserved to die. None of this has changed our opinion. Emily is pro-choice and will continue to be. We both feel that an abortion should be avoided and is a horrible thing, but feel that the service should be safe and legal if needed. However, Emily and I both respect the opinion of those who disagree with us on the abortion issue. Thank you to all who have spoke out against the bomb, no matter what your abortion view is.

To those of you who do not want the choice to be available, I respect your opinion and hope that we can continue to disagree on peaceful terms. I have never thought that a true pro-life person was involved in this.

I had wanted the tree to be planted over were the bomb was. Because of the security issue of the tree limiting visibility, this was not possible. So, this tree also reminds us of the fact that the danger continues. I hope that the community can change this fear someday. It may not happen for a long time, if ever, but it is something to work for.

My wife and I thank you all for being here to remember.

©2005 EmilyLyons.com