I was at folk dancing yesterday evening when the news broke. We were dancing to a lively song. No one was taking much notice of the large screen that usually shows the lyrics of the songs we dance to but, because of the World Cup, showed the TV programmes.
One match had just finished and the news took its place. Gradually people started to point to the screen. One by one people stopped dancing and gathered round the screen to stare at the awful words at the bottom.
The bodies of the three teenagers have been found.
For eighteen days we had been hoping, talking, writing, tweeting with the hashtag #BringBackOurBoys. We knew the best outcome would be to find them and bring them back. The next best outcome would be one of those prisoner exchanges – thousands of violent criminals, including murderers, in return for our three innocent boys, two of them only sixteen years old.
But the final outcome was the worst of all. Perhaps, in our hearts, it was the one we expected the most, but it was also the one we all hoped wouldn’t be.
Why did we care so much about three boys, with faces and names the vast majority of us didn’t recognise three weeks ago? Because, although we argue with each other as much as a nation can, although we often don’t care for others as we should, when something like this happens we become one big family. Those boys become our boys, the parents our brothers and sisters.
That lively song was soon turned off. For the rest of the evening we danced to slower, sadder songs. Most people left early and the dance session ended earlier than usual.
As they say, normal service will be resumed. Next week we will dance as usual. But we won’t forget what happened to our boys.
Miriam Drori, Author 
8 replies on “Our Boys”
It is hard to push on the “like” button but I nevertheless appreciate your post bringing to attention this tragic outcome.
I always have a very hard time digesting inhumane-free-cruelty & this time was no exception.
The images churning in the mind are too violent to bear so I just let my tears carry the burden & sent a prayer to the families to try & alleviate theirs if that is even possible & wish them a whole load of courage to continue their paths in the journey we call life.
In times like these I like to remind myself & to all those around us that light will & always prevails.
I don’t only say it but truly believe it.
Thanks for the share.
Thank you for the comment.
I was appalled by the news, so sad and shocking. My thoughts are with my extended family over there.
Thank you, Gill.
I apologize as I don’t pay so much attention to the news…too oft filled with all the wrong and nothing right in the world. Unfortunately, these three boys were not returned under more hopeful circumstances. Can’t help but question the state of humanity when it is thus 😦
I don’t listen to the news much either. It’s too depressing. Thank you for commenting, Angela.
Whenever I hear of something like this my reaction is, “Someone else’s world has just been turned upside down and inside out. How would I feel if it was me?” Yes, the news is depressing. My job is often depressing because it involves disasters but I know one thing – all children should be loved and cherished by everyone.
They should – yes. Of course there are people all over the world who harm children. Not all of them are supported by their government and the population. Thank you, Cat.