An eye for an eye

**I wrote this post yesterday  but didn't feel brave enough to share it.  Today I feel differently.**

Today As I sip my tea this morning (an herbal blend called 'get clean') my mind drifts back to a time nearly 10 years ago when we were  locked down on an Army Post in Europe

We gathered with other families comforting each other and shedding tears.


 We women opened our doors and let others come in for a cup of tea and the comfort of community as we tried to make sense of what was happening and how it would affect us.

We women connected with each other desperately trying to let family and friends back home know we were safe. 

We women gathered our children together so they could play as we talked in hushed tones not to upset them.
 
We kissed our husbands and told them we loved them as they strapped on weapons with live rounds.

We women shed tears and wondered why as we saw the 'others' celebrating the deaths of our people.

We women saw the kindness of Europeans as they gathered outside our locked gates leaving flowers and teddy bears and calling cards and signs expressing their sorrow for what happened.


We American women looked into the eyes of European women and saw that they understood our feelings.

Because once upon a time they were us...

Scared. Lonely. Sad. Tired.

Far away from those they loved. 

Kissing husbands goodbye as they strapped on live rounds.

Gathering together for comfort.

For a brief time I understood

It isn't us and them...we were truly one.

 So on this day 10 years into the future

I pour myself a cup of liquid healing

And I whisper prayers over my cup for those women in far off places

Far away from those they loved. 

Kissing husbands goodbye as they strapped on live rounds.

Wondering why as they watch the celebrations of a death.

Gathering together for comfort.

I whisper prayers for us all not to go blind from our eye for an eye approach...