A CHILD OF WAR, A WOMAN OF PEACE
A CHILD OF WAR, A WOMAN OF PEACE
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But first, Nancy, with deep gratitude for all who have been/are a part of my life!
I have always loved getting to know people of various nationalities! They add such richness to life!
Kiko from Hawaii became such a close friend! We grew up in metaphysics together. We continue in touch via phone calls that last for hours of stimulating conversations!
Julia from Honduras became my daughter! Visiting Honduras several times and getting to know her family there has been such an enriching experience. Julia has remained in touch with her Honduran family and continues to visit them, taking her children with her.
Sadaka from Japan was a close friend at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. She loved to play the huge pipe organ in the seminary chapel. The students could listen as we walked around campus. Sadaka frequently came home with me and my family quickly learned to love her too. She cooked Japanese meals for us, which was always a real treat! (Here she is, with my daughter Julia and my Mother, as we walk through the Cherry blossoms in Raleigh, NC. Sadly, Sadaka died from cancer caused by the United States bombing of Japan.
Isagani from the Philippines became Julia’s husband. Together, they presented two beautiful children to our family. Abigail, the oldest, is the baby shown here. I have also had the privilege of getting to know Ganie’s Filipino family. With the young members of his family, I have been accepted as “Grandma Nancy.”
Lucy & Me
Lucy Der-Garabedian from Lebanon was a close friend at Union Theological Seminary. She spent time with John and me in our home, frequently cooking a Lebanese meal. Lucy is an outstanding concert pianist. She was with us the last night before John entered the hospital and returned to spirit following brain cancer surgery. One day, a few years later, Lucy came to visit me. As she always did, she brought food. That very same day, my refrigerator had stopped working. What did Lucy do? Without thinking twice, she said, “Get in the car; we are going to get you a new refrigerator in memory of John.” And that’s what she did!
Think about it. What would my life be without my “someone different” friends and adopted family? So much wealth would have been absent … the lasting wealth that comes from loving people of ALL nationalities!
AND, NOW KATIE FROM VIETNAM’S STORY!
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/04/10/a-child-of-war-a-woman-at-peace
