Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Full of Grace

I have just returned from visiting a dear friend in Israel.   It was a trip originally planned back in March when I had just come out of a scary health crisis and wanted to make sure I fulfilled a promise to my far flung friend.   As the date of my departure came closer, the travel advisories for the Middle East got more frequent and more serious. We wavered for a while, debating whether I should go.  But go I did.  

Today I am tired, jet lagged, and not particularly looking forward to the pile of backed up work I’m sure awaits me.   I hope to write more about this trip later, but right now, for this I am grateful -

1.  Enough valium to get claustrophobic me on an 11 hour flight.   

2.  To live in a place where I don’t have to own a gas mask (given to all residents but not travelers), or be awoken to the sounds of sirens.

3. To travel freely on public transportation and not worry about suicide bombers

4.  To be able to re-connect, to hug, to touch, to chat face-to face, with a friend who is so dear to me.

5.  To be home, safe and sound and to be able to sleep in Martha’s arms.  


It is one thing to sit and talk about possible attacks on Syria when you live on the other side of the world and the only real impact will be slightly higher gasoline prices.  It is quite another thing to live in a place where every decision has very, very, real consequences.   The amount of anxiety people in this region live with is enormous, yet they seem to take it all in stride.   The strength of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me.  I think I have much to learn from them.  

4 comments:

  1. "I think I have much to learn from them."

    I think we have much to learn from you - your grace, consistency and fortitude despite your circumstances and how you are always open and willing to be amazed by the goodness of your fellow humans.

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  2. A very frightening time to be in the Middle East indeed! Yes to being aware of the very human impact of war, even when it is in distant lands.

    I traveled to Israel many years ago, during more peaceful times. I look forward to hearing more about your trip.

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  3. I'm glad you went and even more glad that you are back.

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  4. What E, Sue, and Ashley said (except for the having traveled to Israel part).

    Welcome back.

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