... and then she sang - Amazing Grace.
Compelled I drove to St Kilda at invitation
to witness and take part in a candlelight vigil
for a prostitute.
Compelled I drove to St Kilda at invitation
to witness and take part in a candlelight vigil
for a prostitute.
So why are you
going?
the wise question of 15 years - my daughter.
Something about what they were doing called to me. Something about a life ended too soon that called me to join and pray and weep and wonder.
At first I met candles in milk bottles, and chalk on an asphalt corner "Tracy's Corner".
No one was there.
Greeves street - at night a place of sex workers and drugs.
Tonight - a gathering of people to say that even these people matter.
A still, quiet, cool night where people mingled - mums and dads with little children, lovers hand in hand, friends meeting after work, Suits, miniskirts, scarves, umbrellas and dogs. Low voices chatting and laughing - and crying. Each one holding a candle.
The sum of 500 single candles causing a warm, gentle glow. In a place of death and a daily struggle for life, this glow protested against the cold and dark - we will not let this person, this human life, end without hope and recognition.
Sally (Tonkin), the ceo of St Kilda Gatehouse, said, "tonight we see the worst of humanity and the best of humanity.”
the wise question of 15 years - my daughter.
Something about what they were doing called to me. Something about a life ended too soon that called me to join and pray and weep and wonder.
At first I met candles in milk bottles, and chalk on an asphalt corner "Tracy's Corner".
No one was there.
Greeves street - at night a place of sex workers and drugs.
Tonight - a gathering of people to say that even these people matter.
A still, quiet, cool night where people mingled - mums and dads with little children, lovers hand in hand, friends meeting after work, Suits, miniskirts, scarves, umbrellas and dogs. Low voices chatting and laughing - and crying. Each one holding a candle.
The sum of 500 single candles causing a warm, gentle glow. In a place of death and a daily struggle for life, this glow protested against the cold and dark - we will not let this person, this human life, end without hope and recognition.
Sally (Tonkin), the ceo of St Kilda Gatehouse, said, "tonight we see the worst of humanity and the best of humanity.”
The Gatehouse - a sanctuary for those who live a life
that I could never imagine. Providing unconditional love and hope to
those who sell their hearts to addictions, and their bodies to men night after
night - to pay for those addictions.
Sally spoke of them with highest praise, "These
are kind, beautiful, amazing, creative women - valued members of this
community." The compassion, love and creativity of this Gatehouse is
outstanding.
Others spoke;
a friend of Tracy, and Tracy's brother, female
politicians, a mayor, and an angry man who is sick of male violence against
women.
We...
We...
listened, strangers in the glow of candlelight, joined
with each other by this compelling call to value the life of a stranger who
lived a strange life. Even in the glow of candles, we could still see
compassion in each others faces, soft, warm and determined.
We were not there to support prostitution, but to honour a woman - a human being, unique and loved by God and friends.
We were not there to support prostitution, but to honour a woman - a human being, unique and loved by God and friends.
We all knew...
that Greeves street wasn't like this on every other
night. Normally it was a place of risk and utter brokenness. But we
had a sense that we changed it - even for one night.
Tracy was
murdered 10 days ago.
Sure, she was a prostitute and struggled with addictions
- but that was not her dream, and it certainly wasn't her personality. Sure,
she lived homeless in a van with her partner of 11 years, but that was not the
future they wanted, together. Sure, she had given up her two children for
adoption when she found herself unable to care for them. But she cared for
others in the street - others like herself.
We listened...
… and then a lone voice sang Amazing Grace.
… and then a lone voice sang Amazing Grace.
"Amazing Grace,
how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see.
"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home."
I was not the only one in tears.
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see.
"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home."
I was not the only one in tears.
Hearing that beautiful solo voice sing Amazing Grace in the clear night air - Grace had so much meaning in the context of Tracy's life,
in that moment,
on that street,
in the stillness of the night,
among candles and compassionate people.
in that moment,
on that street,
in the stillness of the night,
among candles and compassionate people.
Grace. Amazing.
