Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas from New York! It has been an eventful eleven days, but so oh-my-gosh wonderful. First things first, never, never underestimate the beautiful gesture of "a leg up." Figuratively speaking, and coming from a horse-riding family, if you've ever tried to get on a larger horse, you ask someone to give you a helping hand, a boost, as one might say, making it easier to tackle the task at hand. We've been so grateful for the kindness, and spare room, of our oh-so-cool family while we're looking for a place. The leg up has been absolutely priceless; we hope to pass this helping hand along many, many times in the future--it is the very least we can do.

We're learning as we go, living and learning, or as The Love I now call home says in Arabic, eish ew shoof. Navigating the city, exploring the DMV, and realizing that walking distance quickly becomes a relative term and that a scarf is a priceless piece of clothing. I am also quickly realizing something about human interaction. Often times, we set the tone of an interaction. We've met some of the most pleasant people here, (along with a few rude ones, I'll admit) but it has left me pondering how much of the stereotypical rudeness is often just a response to our own tone set by our preconceived ideas. I was reminded of our month in France and the genuine niceness we encountered there, opposite of those rude French stereotype. I have to ask myself, "How much of peoples' interaction with me is in my control?" It is truly worth the ponder.

Last, but certainly not least, there was my Christmas Eve Mall Lockdown Extravaganza. The shortened version of the saga:  the commotion behind me ended up being hundreds of frantic people running towards the Bux kiosk screaming "shooter!" As I quickly made my way to the American Eagle stock room, surrounded by panicked people, I realized the only thing I wanted to do was to make a phone call to that girl I love to tell her again, that I loved her. Her voice immediately brought a peace to my soul that is indescribable. Twenty minutes and the all clear came. Gratefully, a false alarm. A clumsy shoplifter, four over zealous security guards, and a broken glass in the Macy's storefront had set off the panic, but I realized afresh and anew how precious life is and how much I adore the Love of my life. Words fail me sometimes.

Anyway we look at it, life is a complicated adventure. Life can certainly change within a split second, making the moments spent with those we love all the more cherished. Those long twenty minutes, made me also rediscover my intense passion for peace. Believing there was an actual shooter, I contemplated the inner turmoil of someone in such a state of desperation and disillusionment. Who would take the lives of random, innocent people on Christmas Eve? Again, gratefully, it was a false alarm, but in today's world, it very easily could have been. World peace comes from individual inner peace. Each human interaction of peace produces moments of peace within the fabric of society. May we make a more concentrated effort to become agents of peace in the upcoming year.

Fare thee well, Louisville

We are here! I am so excited to begin this new chapter with this Love I now call home! It seems that I have unknowingly underestimated the sheer enjoyment that comes from having someone in which to share life's adventures. My bad; I stand corrected. I must be the luckiest person in the world.
Wow. Having only planned to stay in Louisville for six months or so when I moved back in 1997, I'd say it was certainly time. Not being overly thrilled about the idea of moving back to Louisville (sorry!), I'll admit that it took me a bit to warm up to the place. I loved and missed my family and they were here, so that was my starting point. The next sixteen years were full of many events. Some expected, but many, many unexpected events along the way. Some were beautiful, some were heart-wrenching, and some were absolutely life-changing. I lost a job that I thought I'd keep forever (but this took me on a life-changing, magnificent soul search!), I saw two beautiful nephews begin life and add immeasurable joy to our family, and I found the Love I now call home, or rather she found me. I traveled often, and I (finally) received my degree, a life-long goal. I also found myself; oddly enough, I hadn't even realized that I was missing, but I most certainly was.

So, I'll hold Louisville as a special place, and I'm sincerely grateful to have met each and every one of you along the way. Yes, even those who have produced some of those heart-wrenching events! I could not have always said that, but I've come to see that every encounter taught me something about myself, life, love, kindness, and humanity in general, so for that, I am grateful.

I'd thought I'd leave you with a few parting suggestions as I go:

1. Relax in the moment. No, I really mean it. Just relax in the moment.
2. Get involved in an organization that is creating dialogue in the community. I suggest KFTC-Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, but if this isn't your cup of tea then find one that fits.
3. Go to WorldFest in the Fall. It is a wonderful display of this community's international beauty--I don't care if it's hot or rainy, go and show your support. I'll truly miss going.
4. Make an effort to get to know people--especially those who have different opinions/beliefs/lives/cultures from you. As Brown Pop always says, "It's not wrong, it's just different." We all have much more in common than we realize. (...and we'd all be better people if we followed Brown Pop's example.)
5. Read Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Good Citizens. 
6. Eat at Yaffa Cafe on 4th and Broadway. You can will most definitely thank me later.
7. Be kind. I believe it was Mother Teresea who said, "I prefer to make mistakes in kindness than to work miracles in unkindness."

Finally, find your peace. My peace and happiness might not suit you, but it is a most wonderful, joyous, fulfilled place to me. Be happy. Keep in touch. I'll miss you.