#drzigs

[drzigs]

The war on children

When I was a child I was obsessed with ‘the’ war.  The war to end all wars.

My father was Polish.  In the war he had lost everything.  He was 17 when it all started. By the end, 5 long years later, he had been interned and escaped from a camp, he had family sent to the gulag, he had joined the army in exile.  He had seen more horror, experienced more fear, and lost so very very much. His father, his brother, cousins, his friends, his family home, his country, his youth, all gone.  What he had gained was a new fierce, fundamental understanding for peace.  

My dad spoke 8 languages fluently.  Fluently to the point where people thought him a native wherever he went.  He was native Frency, native Italian, native Spanish, native Czech, even like a native Russian, even like a native German. I think this gave him the greatest gift of empathy.  Of wanting good, and teaching me tolerance, forgiveness. During the war he became a special agent, a SOE operative. He was involved in the Polish Resistance, in broadcasting on the BBC World Service, and eventually in liberating some of the concentration camps.  The man I knew spoke little, if ever, about the war.  Yet the war was part of who I was.  The war and the homeland lost, as if inherited trauma, displacement itself my heritage.  

My father was brought up Catholic.  My uncle, a university friend of Pope John Paul II, sat on the Papal Council. Much of my childhood was spent growing up in the church.  A community, a way of life. Growing up around him, I found that my father however had two ‘faiths’, one the church, a professed ‘goodness’, and the other was his firm belief in Europe, an institution, a ‘belonging’ that brought with it peace and collaboration, the antithesis to nationalism and therefore, war.  He believed in peace like a religion. 

As an adult I now question my obsession with the war.  ‘THE’ war, as we called it.  As if there were no other.  However then, as an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 year old I returned to this again and again.  I became an expert in the field. I read everything I could find.  Stories, novels in particular, the human descriptive of horror and survival.  The horrors of the holocaust.  The Warsaw Ghetto, the uprising, the brave, resourceful, inspiring characters of legend. The mechanics of a machine of evil, of murder.  I was a child.  In some senses this was simple good versus bad.  Yet, I wanted to understand more ; where could this horror come from, what was society's role in this, my fathers role, my uncle's role, the war office, the governments in exile. I asked relentlessly,  how?  How could these events happen. 

How could the world watch as millions were murdered. How?  How was it allowed? How did the ‘grown-ups’ not stop this?  How, when this happened in neighbourhoods, in communities. There were clerics, there were school teachers, there were toy makers.  A ghetto in the middle of a busy city.  How? 

My father would not talk about the war, so I would wait.  Late nights, when, after a few glasses of wine, he would sometimes, rarely, finally talk to me.  And I fed on these tidbits of information.  

And every time I would return to the same question.  How? How could people allow this to happen.  How could such evil exist in the world?  And he would tell me that it was because at the time people didn't really know, that they didn't know the full extent, at the time they didn’t have the news like we did, they didn’t have TV’s, they didn’t see the camps, the ovens.  And I partly believed him.  

The alternative truth, the reality I guess, is what we are living today, is what I have discovered as an adult.   

Then, as now, walls around enclaves, around ghettos, are built by people. Paperwork is signed by people. Ammunition is manufactured by people.  Uniforms are sewn by people. Planes are flown by people.  Armies are fed by people.  The software that guides the missiles that strike the hospital, the school, the refugee camp is made by people.  Bombs are dropped by people. People, the fabric of our communities. People like you and me.  It is us that is doing the killing.

This morning I watch @Wizardbisan, one of the many young journalists in Gaza, who has taken to her phone, and in her candid honesty, her dignity, her fear, her exhaustion as she bears witness yet again to the horrors beyond horrors happening now, this minute in Gaza.  This is not a book, a film.  This is not history.  This is NOW. This moment, as I type. And I feel her fear, her exhaustion.  I watch a video of a child crying, describing how the Israeli army pulled her grandad, her uncle and then her father out of a line as they crossed a checkpoint.  They took her clothes, her food, her support.  Her dad.  I watch a mother cradling her dead baby, limp, lifeless.  I see children, alone, covered in dust and blood and shaking in fear. The last doctor, alone in Al Shifa hospital begging for help as patients die around him. And more. And more.  Horrors upon horrors that defy understanding.  I will fall asleep thinking of these people.  I will wake up wondering if they survived the night. 

There is no saying that we ‘didn’t know’. 

I see that so many of my friends, my ‘internet contacts’ have liked Bisan’s post.  Business colleagues.  Yet - there is silence.  I also follow their feeds.  We are celebrating Christmas, sharing a joke.  And I wonder, are we not seeing this? This horror?  Is it like clickbait? Are we immune? Why, why are we so afraid to speak out?  And whilst we click ‘like’ on the mundane, the banal, children are being massacred.  Now genocide been televised.  It is in our phones.  It is happening in our very hands. 

Today I work in the Toy Industry.  And my professional life, like that of this industry, is built on the smiles, happiness, laughter and education of children.  Each and everyone of us in this industry has crafted a life around these little people, our future.  We educate, we entertain.  We create story lines and fantasies, teddy bears and Barbies, Lego construction sets and super hero action movies.  For children, all children, the world over.  Children of all languages and creeds, this is what we do it for.  Or is it?

If you watch these children of Gaza, the ones that are still alive, you will see that they no longer have their toys, any toys.  Not one child is holding a toy.  Occasional images will show toys crooked, covered in dust, half hidden amongst the rubble, the flashes of brightly coloured remnants of the Disney princess, the Spiderman blanket, the Ty bear, the toy pushchair.  Survival and fear is what the children hold now. 

As the United Nations have said - this war, this horrific, violent, despicable, carpet bombing destruction of Gaza is a war against children. 

So far 7000 children have been killed.  10s of thousands have life-changing injuries.  Hundreds have been operated without anaesthesia. Hundreds are orphans.  More than half a million are homeless. All are traumatised.  The greatest proportion of victims are under the age of 14.   

We cannot, we must not be silent.  

As an industry that champions children we have to stand up and be counted.  We need to call for a permanent ceasefire.  We need to find our voice.  Lest when our children ask us, ‘how could it happen?’ how?, we have to shrug - because we can no longer say that we didn’t know.   So we will have to say we didn’t care.  Or that it was too difficult.  Or, do we say, that we had to kill these children, these babies, you see they were hiding terrorists.  Or maybe we will say that they didn’t matter, they had the wrong colour skin, or worshipped the wrong god.  Is that what you will say?

Today I am my father’s age.  And my child asks me why? How?  How could it be happening?  And I, like my father, do not know what to say.  But I urge him to have a voice.  I want to protect him from the horrors, but I need him, fiercely, to learn to speak up, to speak out.  To believe in peace like it is the new religion.  For it is only by doing this that we can find our humanity.

I would urge you all to read the open letters from Medicins Sans Frontieres: https://www.msf.org/letter-gaza-un-security-council

And if you would be willing, to sign the open letter below: 

[drzigs]

Happy Sunday!! Are you getting ready to get back to school?! Have you got your Bubbles ready? Whether it’s our Bubble Paint to wow your art class, our Hand Wands to learn all about geometric shapes or any kit to study the science of nanometers, surface tensions, light waves and so much more. Oh and did we mention unwinding, mindfulness and play for once your learning is done?? Dr Zigs has your back to school covered 🥰💖 Reposted from @ianwoodphotography 🙏💕 Just the best fun, camping in the Newlands Valley, he was like the pied piper when we broke out the Bubbles, just wonderful times 😍 #bigbubbles #drzigs #lakedistrict #tiedye #ecotoys #giantbubbles #bubbles #scienceexperiments #investigationplay #learnthroughplay #larentré #jouetsecologiques https://www.instagram.com/p/CTJ7YItsdF-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[drzigs]

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A post shared by Eco Ethical Giant Bubble Toys (@drzigs)

We have a lot of Bubbles going out into the world today!! This may just look like a lot of boxes, but inside each one are squeals of laughter, beaming smiles, ooohhh's and aaaahh's of kids, of friends, and neighbours. Each box has been made and packed by our incredible team back at Dr Zigs HQ, in the foothills of Snowdon, in North Wales. Inside each box, our Bubbles have been carefully made, tested, batched and bottled, each in turn then added to a kit, with wands, foamers or our new Coconut Buckets. The work, organisation, pride and love that goes into each box is immense. I am SO proud of our amazing, hard-working and simply brilliant team, who keep making this magic happen. And here's the most incredible thought  - if you add up all the boxes of Bubbles that we've sent out today alone - assuming each kit contains enough mix to make a minimum of 1000 Giant Bubbles, that should make AT LEAST  One Million Two Hundred and Eighty Two thousand smiles. Now that has got to make our world a better place! #changingtheworldonebubbleatatime #giantbubbles #bubbles #drzigs #ecotoys #jouetsecologiques #jouetsnaturelles #happiness #joie #bullesdesavon #bullesgeantes #MadeinWales #MadeinBritain #Cymru #BritishManufacturing #bestteamever #dreamteam #export #lovelife https://www.instagram.com/p/CPBfP4MpODA/?utm_medium=tumblr

[drzigs]

Even on the greyest and wettest of days the bubbles bring their magic. 🌈 The raindrops fall straight through the bubbles without popping them, and they bring such colour and laughter letting us forget the damp sogginess, and pushing even the most recalcitrant child to get to the end of a walk 😁😍🌈 #rainysunday #giantbubbles #drzigs #getoutside #ecotoys https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnjJNBlzex/?igshid=113haldvnj4zs

[drzigs]

Bubble rainbows 🌈 Got to love a bit of bubble colour on rainy day 😍 #giantbubbles #drzigs #liquidrainbow #ecotoys #scienceinaction https://www.instagram.com/p/CHk-0XRF5HX/?igshid=1no67w9l6xs22

[drzigs]

A gorgeous picture and lovely thoughtful post from Brooklyn, NYC Just love seeing our bubbles making their way around the world. Especially at these challenging times. Thank you @elmiefairchild 💕❤️ Reposted from @elmiefairchild DON’T EVER LET ANYONE BURST YOUR BUBBLE, darling girl 😘 My whole life I’ve been told to “grow up”, “stop seeing the world through my pink glasses” and “stop living in a bubble”. I’m not saying it’s helpful to lie to yourself, and by creating a fake state of rejoicing close your eyes to reality... But what IS reality? Trying to help a close friend struggling with depression lately made me pay so much attention to how I feel about life. Simple example: we see celebrities who objectively have everything we could have ever wanted, struggling with addictions and depression. So what if in reality you have everything, if it doesn’t bring you joy? Which made me realize - there’s NOTHING MORE REAL and more important than how I feel and how I see my life. It’s only as good as how I feel about. We can create our own “bubbles” by making our home a place we love, nurturing positive relationships and savoring happy memories. I will do my best to teach Kaylen that too. What do you think - should we all live in a bubble just a little? ♥️ These magical bubbles from @drzigs 😁 #giantbubbles #drzigs #exporting #madeinUK #ecotoys #besttoyever #bubbles #gifting #americaherewecome #exportingisgreat #silverlinings https://www.instagram.com/p/CHGwtINFUcy/?igshid=11sncx2jf9t34

[drzigs]

Sunday walk in a Wales in Lockdown. We're so very grateful to be able to step outside and have this on our doorstep. And, we're gearing up for a SUPER EXCITING week ahead with loads of orders for our Bubble Kits waiting to go out the door tomorrow! What's more the response to our SPOOKY scented Bubble Mix has been just AMAZING!! Just hoping we don't sell out too quick! It's utterly one of the bestest things that amongst all the challenges that are happening at the moment, the bubbles are still being shared by friends and families and spreading their joy. And this is all thanks to you all, our wonderful customers. Thank you thank you. Bubble love from all of us at Dr Zigs Stay safe xx #giantbubbles #drzigs #lockdown #wales #britishmanufacturing #coastalpath #ecotoys #giftideas https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyHrGBFCSU/?igshid=cvtm96avizx5

[drzigs]

Autumn, dog walks, and our Peanut Butter Doggie Bubbles.. The simple joys of life 🥰🐶🐾 #drzigs #drzigspets #giantbubbles #ecopets #ecopettoys #petstockings #labrador #assistancedog #petscorner https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfuiLUFvFi/?igshid=135m2s8ryqrvf

[drzigs]

When our Bubbles are made somewhere as beautiful as this, it's no wonder they are quite so amazing. #lovenorthwales #drzigs #ecotoys #giantbubbles #snowdonia #llanberis #britishmanufacturing #lucky ❤️ (at Llyn Padarn) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGX_N0xFIkd/?igshid=159vemm1bvqn1

[drzigs]

How do you prepare for you @bbc5live interviews? 😁 Catch me tomorrow morning from 7:30-8am and again from 9-10am! I'll be talking Bubbles, cool business and Brexit! 🤩 #giantbubbles #drzigs #businesswoman #entrepreneur #ethicalcompany #ecotoys #britishmanufacturing (at Dinas Dinlle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVVdk_lo6D/?igshid=17kdqyqfgsvif

[drzigs]

Ziggy's been making a cool little hand bubbling video. SO CUTE! (and fun!) Can't wait to show you 😊 #giantbubbles #drzigs #handbubbling #ecotoys #antibac #handwashingfun https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQR7uhlJAi/?igshid=1x0f4qh9jrqu3

[drzigs]

My great friend and her fabulous 79 year old aunt making sunset bubbles. When it comes to our giant bubbles there are no age limits 🥰 ❤️ #notjustforkids #giantbubbles #drzigs #borth #ecotoys #funforallages #getoutside ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKUuetFtMG/?igshid=1w6fwuo4z1l0f

[drzigs]

A colourful autumnal walk with the beautiful Giant Bubbles ❤️ Dr Zigs #giantbubbles #drzigs #autumn #lockdownactivity #getoutside #halloweenideas #trickortreat https://www.instagram.com/p/CGI09VKlkY7/?igshid=1tfnwz9bihnvw

[drzigs]

And breathe.. 💕🙏 #giantbubbles #drzigs #calm #ecotoys #getoutside #montesori #BubblesNotBalloons https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxUHLOF89b/?igshid=1hmfq4qylessd

[drzigs]

Sunday Bubbles 💜 Today we headed for the hills, to make the most of the sunshine, and recharge before a super bubbly busy week ahead, oh and collect some dragon essence of course! 💚 We walked above Llyn Ogwen. It is said that after King Arthur's final battle, Bedwyr (Sir Bedivere) came here with Excalibur, to cast the sword, and it was caught, and is now guarded by Lady of the Lake. And our Dr Zigs bubbles of course. 💛 ❤️#Snowdonia #giantbubbles #drzigs #tryfan #gwynedd #eryri #arthur #mabinogi #ecotoys #madeinwales #believeinmagic #getoutside (at Llyn Ogwen) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFppVYXFDXU/?igshid=1r0euwteayvxq

[drzigs]

Eglwys Cwyfan, Ynys Môn. One of the treasures of North Wales, the church of St Cwyfan was built on a tidal promontory in 12th century. Today, making bubbles in such a stunning setting I wondered what the people who lived here and built this stunning monunent would have made of these ephemeral spheres drifting across their bay. But the plastic. Even in such a pristine location, the shore was littered. We ran out of light today, so tomorrow we'll go back for a beach clean. Hope you all can manage to get out at least a little, and enjoy some bubbles this weekend ❤️ #giantbubbles #drzigs #multiwand #ecotoys #tenlittlepieces #leavenotrace #lovenorthwales (at St Cwyfan's Church, Llangwyfan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFnZin_lLYC/?igshid=14mou59ss4jj9