A Contradiction of Nature and Mankind

Many people on tour observe the contradiction between the beautiful Normandy countryside against the horrors which took place not so many years ago. Sturdy Normandy farmhouses nestle within compounds formed by strong stone walls, and cottages are still to be seen in beautiful fields apparently unconnected by road, path or track.

Of course, these are only what survive. Many substantial buildings were utterly destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Replaced buildings are functional and do not readily reflect the old Norman style, but that does not matter as the area is still regarded as beautiful and unspoilt.

The French people have not seen fit to develop Normandy as a tourist attraction. There are no D-Day Theme Parks, no Hitler rides and certainly no Eisenhower Burgers. It would seem the French do not know the meaning of the word “Entrepreneur.”

And what of the once pretty countryside so horribly disfigured by war? The remains of vehicles, guns, tanks and all manner of war artefacts were either buried or dumped at sea. Cratered farmland was bulldozed to allow crops to flourish and tractors to till the soil. Nature reclaimed Man’s despoil. The dark Norman skies cried its tears onto the land and sunshine healed the wounds with all manner of Nature’s produce. Wheat, barley, canola, weeds, orchards, flowers, grass and trees now disguise and cover an area that was once oblivion. Nature cure.

But is it so simple to cure the human mind? It is said time heals, but does it only blunt the pain? Soldiers emerged from Normandy physically intact, but mentally injured. It is the same story for all wars that have ever been, are now happening, or ever will be. Within its thinking process the memory preserves and carries forward the pain of yesterday and yesteryear. The larger the tragedy the longer its duration and suffering. And who knows the tragedies witnessed or inflicted by a soldier in the course of his duty.

There is a lesson to be found in Nature. Nature only has natural intelligence; there is no memory nor mind to interfere with its process. Nature only responds to natural forces – sunlight and rain to start growth, and elements of earth, air, wind, fire, water and climate to temper it.

The Chinese have a saying: If a man is to find short term happiness, he gets drunk. For medium term happiness, he finds a wife. But for everlasting happiness, he gets a garden.

Look at a bush that has been pruned, a tree that has been cut, or a flower plucked. It does not mourn – it is not held back by conscience or a sense of tragedy – it gets on with life. It carries on growing, the life force within forever seeking a permanent outlet. Then one day, one year it dies.
Such is the conundrum of life.

And such is Nature’s harshest conundrum to mankind in seeking terms with grief and tragedy.