We do everything together...

School.
Work.
Living in the Parsonage.
Living with my parents.
Traveling the world.
Always planning the next step.


This time he's on his own.



Peace be

...He was then led

out into the wilderness, for forty days and forty nights, to be tempted. And after fasting he was hungry,

and along came the tempter,

"If you really are...turn these stones to bread..."

Stories are beautiful, especially the ones that are true and truly make sense of all our other stories. One time, after reading a particularly intriguing story, and realizing this for myself, I wrote the following. Now, a year later and re-realizing the same thing, I can't think of any new words. I'm only reminded that sometimes I need to be reminded of stories and other things I might have forgotten. So more for myself than anything, I am re-publishing a post from January 2007 so I can have it readily accessible when my page comes up, I've been tempted to waver throughout the day, and I need to be reminded to retell the stories that have made me, and the power they still have today.

28 January 2007
Lacking eloquent words,

stories fashioned who we are
thus far, we are becoming
what we have heard will come

remaining unknown

to some

a story is given.
A really good story.
Sometimes told by really good storytellers,
and sometimes by the not-so-good.
Yet,
it is only folly to the perishing.

It is wisdom
and power to the powerless.

Carrying on

A conversation. they're worth many things, one of which is time. and today served as a good example that my obsession with time is slowly fleeting and my emphasis on the here-and-now with a person is slowly growing.

Today a friend and i were riding back together in a rickshaw from our arabic lessons, carrying on a descent conversation about our daily activities and the contrast between the life of a young man in this culture with that of a husband and father. our driver was joyfully going along himself, doing his best to avoid the pot-holes still unfilled since this summer's rainy season. about half way to our destination some euro-techno beats were set off in his shirt pocket, and unlike many drivers in the world he slowed down and pulled off the road to answer his phone. my friend and i didn't miss a beat, didn't raise a brow, didn't even give each other that usual khuaja "that's different" look. we just chatted away, and so did he. a few minutes later when his conversation was over he reached down and re-started his rickshaw and we continued on our way. no one was in a hurry, neither customer nor driver nor friend, and it was rather pleasant.

John r updated his Favorite Music list on his facebook profile today. one should be assumed - our good friend andy. the other was indeed a pleasant surprise - myself. to be honest it is an honor to be grateful for for as long as he leaves it on his site. but even if he should take it down tonight, his explanation was worth it all: "you're just always singing around the apartment. and i like it."

We're in the unknown, but the fountain always flows.
Peace be