I was saddened today to learn of the death of Dith Pran. Dith was a photographer for the New York Times and the subject of the moving and powerful film The Killing Fields (1984). It was this film which sparked my love affair with Cambodia and, more than twenty years after its release, it remains an enduring testament to one man's courage, resolve and indomitable spirit.
In 1972 Dith Pran was hired by American journalist, Sydney Schanberg, to act as journalist and interpreter during the unrest in Cambodia. When foreign journalists were expelled from the country, he was exiled to the 'killing fields' where he endured four years of starvation and torture at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Eventually he escaped and made his way to a refugee camp on the Thai border. He migrated to America in 1980.
Several years ago I was privileged to enjoy a brief but enlightening e-mail conversation with Mr. Pran. I found him to be a man of great humour, sensitivity and generosity with little, if any, bitterness for the past.
Dith Pran died last night in New Jersey. He will be cremated in a Buddhist ceremony later this week.
Here is my wonderful father indulging in one of his favourite activities. The two older birds, named Jack and Nan, have been coming to my parents' back garden for meals for over twelve months now. The baby was born last spring. These birds are so tame they can
actually be fed by hand as the picture attests. They are also remarkably cheeky. It is not unusual for them to hop up onto the kitchen window sill and tap on the glass to let my parents know it's time for a feed!
May God's light and love shine on you this Easter and always.
Photo taken in Ohio
It's that time of year again. The time when the brave, the daring and the down-right insane shave and/or colour their hair to raise money for cancer research. This year the Department of Immigration and Citizenship raised almost $20,000.
James, Fiona & Enver
prepare to tough out
a Canberra winter
Here are three of my very courageous friends who between them managed to raise $1,640.00. Fiona raised $1,255.00 on her own. You go, Girl!
Here is my lovely nephew. Only a few hours old and already doing a passable imitation of ET.
Morgan Foley Wimborne made his long-awaited appearance at 8:10 p.m. yesterday. Here he is at only six minutes old.
Vital statistics:
Length - 19&3/4 in,
Weight - 6lb 11oz
I haven't had a chance to talk to Meraiah yet - she is still recovering from 34hrs labour! As for baby brother, I think he's still floating several feet above the ground:)
I was saddened today to learn of the death of Dith Pran. Dith was a photographer for the New York Times and the subject of the moving and powerful film The Killing Fields (1984). It was this film which sparked my love affair with Cambodia and, more than twenty years after its release, it remains an enduring testament to one man's courage, resolve and indomitable spirit.
