Hand gestures at the vigil

I was standing out on the main drag this morning holding a sign for Peace. A very wonderful group of committed people have been out here once a month -- winter cold, rain, summer heat -- for four years now. Four years. I just drop in on occasion for moral support.

As I was standing, my mind was going back to the first vigil of this war. My daughter and I went to a neighboring town, to the Amicable Church. It was a candle light vigil. The air was crisp and the night sky full of stars. Our hearts were heavy, but the night was so beautiful.
So here we are four years later; still holding a sign.
Today is a perfect summer day. Bright and clear; not too hot. It would be hard for anyone to be in a bad mood on a day like this. Maybe that's why it's been pretty calm out here this morning hour.
Other days have not been so. There have been times out here I have wondered if something would come lobbing out of a car window at us.

People have interesting responses to people standing for something they believe in. Especially since it's usually a minority opinion. I don't see anyone out here once a month saying " I support the war".

A fellow just drove by and gave us a furtive little wave; down low, like he didn't want the other people in the car to see it. That little gesture made me think about the different things I've seen.
The majority, driving by, look -- maybe read the signs -- but give absolutely no response.
I've had people walk by --spoken to them -- a "Hello" -- a smile -- and have them not respond at all. I guess they feel the biggest insult is to not acknowledge you exist. I must say, that one is pretty effective.

Of course we know the most common hand gesture of the dissenter. Followed very closely by the shaking fist. To me, the fist is even more violent than #1, because #1 has become so commonplace.

A lot of young men shake their heads and their distress is very apparent. These are the ones in muscle cars and pick up trucks who have been, or are soon, going.
I wish I could let them know we are not against them. We are against the act of war. We want them to stay alive; un-maimed.

Today the thumbs up and peace fingers have out numbered the other sort of signs. It's a beautiful Summer day.