but...
Gaza was never far from my thoughts. This is the second winter many families are spending in emergency tents that are falling apart. Many GoFundMes started for escape have now been reduced to appeals for tent repair or food. Israel bombed Kamal Adwan, the last functioning hospital, and arrested its medical director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, when he wouldn't desert his critically ill patients. More World Central Kitchen workers have died, and more U.N. workers have died. Amnesty International, the U.N., the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have all concluded that this is against international law, but people continue to be killed every day, and infants are freezing or starving to death. It all feels too much. They say Reagan was able to end the bombing in Beirut with a single phone call, where is the political will to end the bombing in Gaza? Incidentally, President Carter, who died today, was a real one for correctly calling the situation in Palestine apartheid. (I am grateful for all his anti-racist work, especially post-presidency, and at dinner today, we were saying how he embodied the best aspects of Christianity--service and love.)
I kept muttering Kendrick's song title to myself so I wouldn't say anything inadvertently because I knew people were just trying to get through a difficult year for themselves. For many of my friends, the US elections have left a pall, my MIL broke her foot on Christmas day, and Big A's cousin's wife died on Christmas Day after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just three months ago. Big A hasn't seen his cousin in decades, but they used to spend summers together. Reading the eulogies about MS, I wish I had known her--she seems to have been a wonderful person who was a master gardener and friend to the unhoused.
Anyway, I'll save my disquiet so I can fight another day.
Pic: Today's rainy weather didn't help my mood or anything; but here's a memory of yesterday's blue sky.
12 comments:
I had current events in my mind a lot over Christmas, too. It's hard not to remember all the awful things going on/about to happen. I'm sorry you've had injury and death in your circle to add to that. I hope the broken foot is an isolated incident and she heals quickly.
I'm wondering about the actual objective in Netanyahu's mind, especially after reading that he authorized the bombing in Yemen. The war continues to widen; he seems to be raging.
And yes--the holidays are a time to recenter ourselves and find joy with family and friends and community. We seek a little succor amid the troubled larger world. It's a chance to refuel so that we can go on because we must.
Is your MIL okay? Breaking a foot at any age isn't great, but especially (I assume) as an elderly person.
The reason I'm going to be in Michigan is for a funeral and I'm starting to feel like my life is just one emergency to another. The world is falling apart, isn't it?
Oh dear. It's all just too much to process at times. I wish we had more true Christians like Jimmy Carter. I've been enjoying reading about his life and am tempted to pick up a biography about him. He seemed like a true gem of a person. I know he was a terribly unpopular president but he inherited awful problems.
I really wish and hope for peace in Palestine. It's terrible to think of the loss of life that is occurring.
And then to hear about your MIL breaking her foot and your husband's cousin's wife passing so quickly from pancreatic cancer. Ugh. It reminds me of a parable that is told about how if we all put our problems in a pile in the middle of the circle, we'd likely be quick to take ours back when we see what others are carrying. I am botching the re-telling of that, but you get the gist.
Oh goodness, that's a lot, both on the macro level and the micro level. It's hard sometimes, to find joy when there are so many difficulties in the world. It's important though, so we do our best. I'm sorry for all of the pain, in your family, and in the world. Palestine is particularly horrible. Sudan is horrible. Ukraine is horrible.
Thank you, Steph. She's at home, so that's a consolation.
Nance--agreeing with you fully on both your points here.
Nicole--I Imagined a crushed foot when I first heard, but it appears to be a minor break and she hopes to be driving by next Monday... We'll see!
I'm so sorry, Engie...
Lisa--I truly am in awe of people like President Carter who manage to beat their era and upbringing and end up progressive like the Grimke sisters...
I love your parable!
Sorry to harsh your vibe yesterday, J! Finding you has been a true joy in 2024 <3
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