This blog is titled The Sweet Lives for two reason. One is to remember that no matter how difficult we think our lives are, we are incredibly lucky just to be breathing. The second reason lies in the fact that it is plural. It is lives and not life because I believe that my friends and the people I have encountered in my life are irreplaceable individuals. This is our blog. A blog for anyone who appreciates life.
Two of my best friends went to the middle east two summers ago. One, Colin Almo, shared this wonderfully significant story with me:
"Bethlehem. The place of Jesus's birth. Visiting the Church of Nativity was a dream that I had long harbored. To finally be able to get that chance... To get there, however, we had to move between the Security Wall that divides the West Bank and Israel. It was easy enough to get on the bus, and head out to Bethlehem. All we needed was our passports. What is astonishing is that the sort of relatively hassle free travel between the West Bank and Israel is something that is not possible for both Israelis or Palestinians. It is their lands, and yet that cannot readily travel between them. We were dropped off at the top of a hill in Bethlehem, and we made our own way to the church. Along the way merchants bartered with us, wanting us to buy their wares. Offers of drinks abounded; a tradition in the Muslim world. The Church and a Mosque were visited. Afterwards, a journey to the longest continually inhabited place on Earth, Jericho. Waiting for a taxi van to fill up, I feel a sense of trepidation. Why? I'm not sure. It was one of two times were I felt threatened in the Mid East. Knowing that we were at the mercy of our cab driver. Knowing that no one else knew that we were there that day. Knowing that Israeli soldiers were not present should things take a turn for the worst. All of these thoughts went through my mind. When we arrived in Jericho, are more checkpoints, we felt underwhelmed. How can it be, that, with the longest record of habitation, the ruins of Jericho could be in such a state of neglect? Nothing would stop us from climbing around on them, or trying to knock over a precious piece of antiquity. Perhaps the security wall plays a part. It would not be last time that day when the wall effected us. We caught a taxi back, and asked to go to Jerusalem. We were dropped off at the wall. It's presence struck us then and there. Cutting a neighborhood in two. Standing 40 ft. high. It is a relic of a bygone time in my eyes. Graffiti adorns it's surface. One of the most telling signatures states that "Now even Jews hate what Israel does." It makes me sad, that, in a land with so much beauty and historical richness, that conflict is still rife there. Religions that speak of love were born there, and yet hate still abounds. Going through yet another passport checkpoint, which is afforded to us because we are outsiders, we headed back into Jerusalem."
Thanks Colin for letting me post this. Thanks for sharing. Adventure on!
(Nothing has been changed, what is written here is exactly how it was written to me.)
Please do not misinterpret this entry. It is not a political statement, it is here as a testimony of one person's experience with history and contemporary happenings. Let's remember that love and understanding are some of the most important aspects of life. All too often we need more of both on this earth. Love is Greater.
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