Morning in the Rice Fields
In May of 2008, my husband, Homer, traveled back to Vietnam on a journey of healing and forgiveness. During one of his two combat missions to Vietnam in the sixties, Homer killed a young North Vietnamese Medic, Hoang Ngoc Dam. This act has haunted Homer for over 35 years as the battles of war haunt all who experience it. Dam’s family, in an act of incredible generosity of spirit, invited Homer to Vietnam to meet them and personally participate in the return of Dam’s remains to his village for burial. You can read the entire story, one of heartbreak, courage, and forgiveness on Homer’s website: http://www.swampfox.info.
This photograph was taken by Homer on an early morning train from Nam Dinh to Quy Nhuon.
“Not to forgive is to be imprisoned by the past, by old grievances that do not permit life to proceed with new business. Not to forgive is to yield oneself to another’s control… to be locked into a sequence of act and response, of outrage and revenge, tit for tat, escalating always. The present is endlessly overwhelmed and devoured by the past. Forgiveness frees the forgiver. It extracts the forgiver from someone else’s nightmare.” – Lance Morrow
Morning in the Rice Fields belongs to the following groups:
Amazing Asia, Live, Love, Dream: , People At Work, Rural Around The Globe and Southeast Asia Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
funkyfacestudio
What a terribly sad but incredibly inspiring story…..............forgiveness is healing to our spirits.
Beautiful photograph Tibby.
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much. It is so sad, but I’m very grateful that Homer and Dam’s family have found a sense of peace. Happy New Year, my friend!
Etoile de Mer
Great picture and story, well done all round!
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much, Louise!
Ann7f
It is with a soulful shiver I see this;so many Blessings have come to so many by Homers Courageous Heart and the story of Wandering Souls.I Loved hearing it on NPR,imagining the ripples of Healing extending from this World to the next…
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much, Boo. I really wanted to post some of Homer’s photos from the Vietnam trip so more people could hear the story. You and Paul have been with us from the beginning on this journey and I agree that the ripples of healing will continue to grow.
Lynn Gettman
From One Veteran to another ….. God Speed Homer…. Even though-especially with Vietnam Vets—you may think you’re alone. You’re not.. and you never will be.
Tibby Steedly replied
Thanks…War touches us all, even non-combatants and civilians. It destroys the very best of a generation and we all have to live with that tragedy. It is good to be recognized at last.
Thank you…
Homer
Lynn Gettman
I hope this works… if not I’ll try another method… This is a I took when I was stationed at Ft. Meade, MD
Tibby Steedly replied
Lynn, this is a powerful photo! Well done and thank you for sharing it! Homer
Lynn Gettman
FT. Meade is only a 30 mins from Washington DC, or if your a soldier without car on public transportation 45 mins :) I had the priviledge of visiting the Vietnam memorial, I had many family members who participated. I was walking along the wall at random I saw this… I couldn’t help but take a picture. I know redbubble is weird as far as codes go, I’m glad I was able to get it up there so you could see it. I belong to the art 4 charity group proceeds from this piece goes to an organization that assists disabled veterans. It’s my small way of giving back. :)
LYN EVANS
What a sad story and a lovely capture of this worker in the rice fields.
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you, Lynn. I’m so proud of Homer for returning to Vietnam to meet this incredible family.
DawsonImages
Great image but an even better story, hanks for sharing!
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you for visiting!!
mlynnd
Wonderful capture.
Matt Bishop
what a capture. I tried so hard to get one just like this but missed the opportunity. very impressed. beautiful colours and well balanced
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much, Matt.
coffeemonkey
Such an extraordinary story of Strength and Grace…makes me appreciate this fantastic shot even more.Clink to Homers awe inspiring walk, Annie :.)
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much, Boo!!
banrai
Welcome back to your life, Homer!
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much!! Homer is so glad to be home now. This time last year he was in Vietnam and going through quite a journey.
mochilady
Great photo and a wonderful message to go with it. Thanks for sharing this with all.
Tibby Steedly replied
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your comments and Homer will too.