A Little Old Man

There's something about the unknown that scares many people.  Something about not having control over all aspects of life and the future that is maddening. Death is terrifying, and living in the moment just isn't a concept that can be understood.

I went to school in Israel for about three months when I was 17.  I don't remember being fearful of living there or of flying.  Quite the opposite.  I was extremely excited to leave!! It took a couple of weeks to settle in, and get over the initial home sickness...but I got comfortable quickly and truly felt like I was "living the life" in Israel.

As I met people on my "travels", both from Israel and Lebanon something confused me.  Most of them were happy go lucky.  Joyful, smiles and laughter. Telling stories and sharing memories. There wasn't one Friday evening where I didn't see the sidewalks, porches, balconies with people SIMPLY enjoying company, food, drinks, the air. But...how could that be??  All the "fighting" there. Armed men, military tanks driving by, sirens crying in the distance after the sound of bombs.  That didn't make any sense to me.  Even we (the students) when traveling in groups had to be escorted by armed guards.  I thought to myself more then a few times....what was there to be "sooooooo happy" about?!!!!!!! An elderly man who had already buried his three sons, explained it to me.  He told me that he lived in a world of uncertainty.  "A place of war", he called it...where he never knew or could anticipate a quiet moment or the streets filled with fire.  He told me that he lived life with zest. He rejoiced in the moments with thankfulness...because he knew he wasn't promised tomorrow.  That overwhelmed me.  It overwhelmed me at the very second the words came from his mouth.  It overwhelmed me and made me cry hours later when I got back to my dorm and told my room mates.  Here's the ironic part of the story though.  I didn't take that lesson with me.  I heard it. I didn't grasp it.

It wasn't until I "stood in his shoes" facing my life that I realized everything can change in the blink of an eye. I finally understood what that little old man was trying to convey to me.  Live each day to the fullest.  Today is all we have.

I came home from Israel talking about how differently "those people live".  I really never thought I would "get it" or be able to explain "it" to others. 

I no longer fear death or what is behind that closed door. I remind myself what truly matters and  I do my best to take the moments as they come. I don't regret any experience or tear I have cried to get to this point in my life.  I am abundantly blessed, and have been given the opportunity to share and teach my life lessons to you.

 

                            All my love y'all.

 

*** Please say prayers for My Aunt Gloria and our family, Nathan (he just had a bone marrow biopsy), Ms Bobby (she started radiation), Ms Pammy, Lenore, Trish, and David Carey. They are fighting the battle with cancer too .

*** Please say prayers for Jay Carey and his family.  He is inIraq, fighting the war.

*** Please keep Heather, Baby Izzy (in her tummy) and Charles in your prayers.

*** Please pray that MaryNell will have the guidance from God that she needs. 

 

If this is your first time reading my journal, PLEASE go back to my first entry on 11-15-06 to read about the title MEET ME AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE!! Thanks!