my dream

I was about to join an anger management group because I've been...well, basically in a state of anger lately. Maybe it's due to midlife crisis or some other malady; but I've noticed that both illogic and injustice can set me off pretty quick (and examples of both have been rather plentiful lately). But I still had enough sane thoughts to figure out that prolonged anger is neither healthy or helpful. So something had to be done. That was Saturday night.

Right before the alarm went off Sunday morning I had the most remarkable dream. I realize the symbolism of what I'm about to relate is super obvious....but it wasn't in my dream state. It was a rural setting and I, along with several others, had just come out some kind of place of business (post office?) and we were walking along a grassy area w/ trees. I was slightly unsure of the direction to go home but wasn't alarmed yet since my sense of direction is both nonexistent and dislexic, so I'm used to the feeling of being rather lost all the time. Anyway, over in some brush near the trees a group of animals (disturbed from us exiting the building) rose to their feet. The most obvious was a large male lion. I was so surprised to see him out of a cage. A man's voice behind me quickly said, "Everyone be still, no eye contact. No one run." So we all stood there, fighting our natural inclination to take off.

Next scene. Suddenly a lamb rose up and put his two front hoofs up on my shoulders and stayed there. I leaned in a bit to balance my weight with his, and could feel his breath and was aware of his heartbeat. This particular lamb was long and lean, and had straight white fur, by the way. Anyway, I remember thinking, "I believe a lion can go right through a lamb. I wonder if this lamb realizes that." But for all the lamb's alertness and steadfastness, I didn't sense panic. And he wasn't about to leave me. If the lion was going to get me, he was definitely going to have to go through the lamb first.

Then the alarm rang. So I still have some unanswered questions. I'm not sure why or how the lion was there, or why he wanted to kill. I only know one thing: the lamb loved me....and the lion did not.

And I'm not angry anymore.

more holy land...

In the souvenir shops there one can see, all on the same shelf, black veils and yarmulkes and beaded rosaries. I was standing in the middle of one architectually incredible cathedral, listening to a childrens' choir when suddenly over the loudspeaker came the call to prayer for the Moslems. It hit me how deep and urgent and necessary is every person's urge to try to connect with the Almighty. It is as insatiable as the appetite for food and water. Everyone scrambling to hear the voice of God...to be right with God...to be directed by God.

Yet, here in the same land, are the origins of three very distinct branches of religion...the tenets of which have been claimed as the reason for much bloodshed.

To answer the most common question; yes, I always felt safe. In Eygpt we had armed guard driving in front and in back of our convoy of busses on the way to the pyramid. And when we got close the Bethlehem, the Jewish guide had to hop off the bus and a Palestinian hop on to continue through the huge wall built around Jerusalem. And on the way back, Israeli soldiers checked every passport on the bus. But the Jews assured us there have been much fewer suicide bombers since the wall went up 3 years ago and to invite our friends to visit. So consider yourself invited!

In Turkey, we had a cute young blonde guide who was proud to claim Turkey as the most progressive of all Islam countries. She had on a cute little outfit, and went on to tell us what the Koran ACTUALLY says about modest dress. "It says only to cover the sexual parts," she said, "so unless all those women (draped in black) thinking they're smokin' hot all over? Maybe they have Victoria Secret on underneath." It got a laugh, but illustrated the division upon division upon division in ALL religions. Lord have mercy.

go to the Holy Land

It's so great to have a real live image in my head next time I read "Capernaum", or "Sea of Galilee", or Jordan River, or "Ephesus" in the Bible. But my favorite things were walking the Via Dolorosa and the wailing wall. Did you know that the "Wailing Wall" (or Western Wall) is the last remaining wall of the great temple of Solomon? On the site is a huge Moslem Mosque now (no wonder the Jews pick there to wail). My eyes teared up too just standing in the crowd of the many women who were crying, rocking, and beating their chests. Then I looked over the fence and saw Dan being wrapped and cloaked (he told some Rabbi his mom had a little Jewish blood in her) so they adopted him quick. Apparently we can now move to Israel at any time, no questions asked. I'm not saying Israel doesn't have its economic problems~ and right now there is a very concerning drought going on (the Sea of Galilee is 18 feet below what it should be)~~but to see what they have accomplished in 60 years with an area & population similiar to the state of Maryland is simply amazing. I also loved visiting the island of Patmos where John wrote Revelation. Does anyone know somewhere in the Bible where Jesus told him that he would not die like the other disciples (who were martryed)? John must have lived to be 100 !
Ooops, gotta run....I'll tell more later.