Compassion.

BareKnuckle politics has a post about Cindy Sheehan still not having a grave marker for her son's grave which Ace and many others have linked.

Let me give you some thoughts on Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan is a grieving mother. Period. She is not unlike many of those who grieve and lash out at someone, anyone for the loss they have experienced. Her grief is just much more public because of her being used by the left in such a grand fashion to make news all the time.

I had a relative that lashed out for years at another relative regarding the death of a loved one. It wasn't this relative's fault nor did he do anything wrong in the matter. But that was where my relative sought to vent her anger. This is what Cindy Sheehan is doing. My problem is with the people who use her and her grief for their political agenda. It is CLEAR from Sheehan's meeting with President Bush that she didn't have the feelings she portrays now about him. Someone changed her mind. Someone got her to focus her grief and anger on Bush and this administration.

Bareknuckles links the interview on the street with Cindy Sheehan and Michelle Malkin. Let me say this about Michelle. She is a great writer, pundit, and a driven hard worker. I don't know her personally, but I'm betting she is a wonderful wife and mother as well. But she is young.

Sometimes life teaches us compassion by our experiences. You notice in the interview that Michelle asks the questions, but never looks at Cindy. Not even a glance that I saw. I think this is because Michelle is a good person and is uncomfortable with asking such a personal hurtful question to a mother who has lost her son. There are many reporters who would have no problem with looking Sheehan in the eye and asking anything. Their work is more important than their humanity. Life will teach Michelle that there are many things in this world that hurt us and change us. Michelle will learn that even in the pursuit of goodness and doing what it is right, we must also try and show some understanding in the face of those we disagree with.

I know Cindy's "opinions" make many angry, and rightfully so. But Cindy Sheehan is about many things. The left has made her about their agenda, but she is still a mother who walks this earth knowing that this child, her child, who she loved above all else, will never be there to hold, or to touch, or to talk to again.

And if we, who claim compassion, cannot see that and step back from our anger at her and try to understand her, then our compassion means nothing.