Gate A-4 By Naomi Shihab Nye:
Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement: “If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 understands any Arabic, please come to the gate immediately.” Well— one pauses these days. Gate A-4 was my own gate. I went there.
An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing. “Help,” said the flight agent. “Talk to her . What is her problem? We told her the flight was going to be late and she did this.”
I stooped to put my arm around the woman and spoke haltingly. “Shu-dow-a, shu-bid-uck, habibti? Stani schway, min fadlick, shu-bit-se-wee?” The minute she heard any words she knew, however poorly used, she stopped crying. She thought the flight had been cancelled entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment the next day. I said, “No, we’re fine, you’ll get there, just late, who is picking you up? Let’s call him.”
We called her son, I spoke with him in English. I told him I would stay with his mother till we got on the plane. She talked to him. Then we called her other sons just for the fun of it. Then we called my dad and he and she spoke for a while in Arabic and found out of course they had ten shared friends. Then I thought just for the heck of it why not call some Palestinian poets I know and let them chat with her? This all took up two hours.
She was laughing a lot by then. Telling about her life, patting my knee, answering questions. She had pulled a sack of homemade mamool cookies— little powdered sugar crumbly mounds stuffed with dates and nuts— from her bag and was offering them to all the women at the gate. To my amazement, not a single traveler declined one. It was like a sacrament. The traveler from Argentina, the mom from California, the lovely woman from Laredo— we were all covered with the same powdered sugar. And smiling. There is no better cookie.
Then the airline broke out free apple juice and two little girls from our flight ran around serving it and they were covered with powdered sugar too. And I noticed my new best friend— by now we were holding hands— had a potted plant poking out of her bag, some medicinal thing, with green furry leaves. Such an old country traveling tradition. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere.
And I looked around that gate of late and weary ones and thought, This is the world I want to live in. The shared world. Not a single person in that gate— once the crying of confusion stopped— seemed apprehensive about any other person. They took the cookies. I wanted to hug all those other women too.
This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost.
Notes:
- Image Source: imeu.org. Photographer: This photo of Nye was taken by WT Pfefferle at Nye’s home in San Antonio.
- Story Source: Paul Loeb, “The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear.” (Basic Books, 2007). Naomi Shihab Nye short story from Honeybee (Greenwillow Books, 2008)
“always stay rooted somewhere” – and through such kindness, we do.
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Yes, and carrying the plant evokes that image…wonderful.
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and Cookies , always carry Cookies 🙂
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Smiling. Dave, as a cookie fanatic, I carry cookies, plenty of them, in my belly every day unfortunately. I’m up 10 pounds and Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived yet.
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homemade cookies.
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The answer for many things for me Becky. 🙂
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You were an angel in young woman’s clothing….hope you are around somewhere when my 85 year old, forgettable, slow to move self is needing it! Thank you for helping the lady!
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such a wonderful story I wish all the world was like this
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Hi Dorothy. I agree.
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Me too. What a wonderful story – to be able to help someone and in the process bring a group together!
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thankfully you reached out and of course she too responded. good people are everywhere.
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Dorothy, I think the world IS like this and WE are why! Humans, one and all, are not those negative and ugly stories on the internet and in newspapers. They don’t even have “human interest” stories much anymore anywhere – they’re like drops of dew in the desert. I love this story and am sharing it as this year’s Christmas story in my cards. Inspiring others to “think alike and stay different” is a real thing for me! It’s probably why I chose anthropology as my major in college. HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRRRRRY CHRISTMAS!
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Yes. Yes. Yes. Happy Holidays to you to Terry.
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Thank you, terrylreed, I really liked and appreciated your comments: “Think alike & stay different”- all the best to you, & hope it s mot too long a stiry in your Christmas cards. Karin
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Thanks for the phrase think alike and stay different. maybe even celebrate differences. Merry Christmas to you may we all keep our hearts open.
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I love this story, and also the many like-minded comments. I just wanted to share that I particularly like your turn of phrase “think alike and stay different.” A friend’s FB page may even be interested in using it, if you are amenable to that (w/attribution if requested or required). The page is called “Bullying is for Losers”, originally generated to try and give and keep up the hopes/spirits of various kids who are threatened and often at risk for the “sin” of being different.
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Hi Michael. Not my story. Sorry. You’ll need to reach out to Naomi, she’s the author.
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But if site is not commercial, sharing shouldn’t be issue with attribution.
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The world is like that. It took the loving response of Naomi Nye to activate it. That’s something any of us can do whenever we see the opportunity. Spread love. Respond to need. Make an effort to understand what we don’t understand.
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Yes, wonderfully stated.
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one dyad at a time.
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Beautiful, and it happens one person at a time…be that person when ever you have the opportunity.
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Yes Lura. So true. Thank you.
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This is perfect and I am totally going to use it if you don’t mind.
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Enjoy…
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I speak to at least one person in the airport if I have to wait, or on the plane. I remember those people and the conversations we had many years later.
I hope they remember me as well.
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Wonderful idea Susan. Thanks for sharing.
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What a wonderful story. I love this woman!
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It is!
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Great story.
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i love this and cried throughout. kindness, compassion, understanding are all so contagious.
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Beautiful story and message….yes.
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How very lovely… I thoroughly enjoyed reading gate A-4.
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Hi Marie. Thanks. Me too…
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i can’t find more “comments” room, but I”d like my story to get to . . . somebody. I was awaiting a Continental Airlines flight to Tel Aviv. Got through security with no problem. Blue eyes. White hair. U.S. passport. Behind me came an older woman in Palestinian dress. One of the officious, I mean official, security people spoke Arabic, and he grilled her for 20 minutes. i watched and waited as he went through her purse and her carry-on bag over and over, and she turned paler and paler, more and more scared. Finally, they let her through, and she sat down in the waiting area. I went and sat next to her. She didn’t speak English, but I thought perhaps she spoke French. No such luck. I asked her: “New York?” yes, she indicated. Son? No. Girl? Yes! I pulled out a photo of my grandchildren, and her eyes lit up. (I had never understood that cliché before.) She had photos of her grandchildren. “New York?” I asked again. She nodded. I shook my head in sympathy, indicating that mine were in Jerusalem — and she got tears in her eyes. We continued the conversation about grandchildren too far away for quite a long time. I hope that she went home with a slightly better picture of America. . . .
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Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
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Another beautiful story. Compassion goes a long way. We all are the same.. but different. Minus the crazies, but not as much crazy in our lives as predicted.
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True…
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I loved this story and message so much that I shared on facebook. It turns out that one of my cousins actually sang with Naomi back in the day in San Antonio. What a lovely surprise! Naomi is the gift that keeps on giving.
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Wonderful connection. Thanks for taking the time to share it with me.
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I love this story too, my daughter in law wants to share with her students in school in Berrien Springs this fall; we will be looking for other stories like this one beautiful heartwarming story. Thanks, muchly.
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Teachers, what an incredibly important (and under appreciated) role they play. Thank you
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With so much controversary going on I would like to say something to the lady who befriended the lady at the airport “anonymous” Beautiful story. Why can we NOT all be like this lady that befriended the lady in the airport. My Lord we are all God’s people and this story just touched my heart so much. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story, we need so much more of things like this happening. We all need to feel more love for each other in all the controversary that is going on in our world now!!! Thank you so much for a lovely story!!
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So agree! Thank you
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I cried too. Without compassion what is life?
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Yes, thanks Billie.
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Thank you for this Sunday morning story… 🙂 – J.
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Hi Jeff. Thank you.
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I love this poet and now I love *her*. That *is* the world I want to live in.
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Yes. Me too Sandy.
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Fantastic story. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Heart warming story
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Really great story. Showing love, being loved.
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I LOVE Naomi Shihab Nye…you probably already know that. Thanks for this post. 🙂
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I do know that Carol….
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That was the best prayer I could imagine reading this Sunday morning. Lovely story. Humanity still exists. How sad we have to search for it.
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It is a prayer Michael. Nicely put…and yes, sad that we are to search for experiences like she describes.
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I have to enjoy this story over and over. At 91, I am witnessing many kindnesses from strangers, who help little ole ladies – they really aren’t strangers, just “cousins” from the many immigrants like I came from,
All my life has been “thanking those who have helped me since childhood when I lost my mother at age 8 and dad at 14 – thanking 3 older brothers, aunts, uncles, a pastor and his wife in Norwalk, Ohio and now my 5 kids are helping me. I have always believed in helping others – it now comes back a thousand fold. Thank you, Lord.
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Agnes, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Inspiring.
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This story makes me so happy. I just love reading a happy story about strangers coming together for a brief snapshot of time, and everyone walking away from the moment enriched by the experience. Such a lovely contrappunto to all of the sad, angry news that we’re barraged with these days, particularly with respect to anything having to do with someone from the Middle East. There are many lovely souls from that part of the world, too. Unfortunately their voices and stories are all too often lost in the barrage . Loved. This. DK.
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Yes, “lost in the barrage” is so aptly put. And this a canary in the coal mine.
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Absolutely beautiful. Accept people. That was a worship moment.
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yes Patricia. a beautiful story simply captured…
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In this time of fear and hate, this anecdote is so uplifting. Thank You, helps to put perspective back in the midst of all the chaos.
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It does Barbara. I agree.
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Gorgeous share of beautiful souls and the light they share with us all♥
Thank you for sharing and stay awesome, my friend 🙂
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Thanks B*
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So lovely! Yes, there is definitely hope for us. I want one of those cookies too! And the quote about carrying a plant is so sweet 🙂
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I want a cookie too!
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I want to live in that world, I want to create that world.
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Yes…
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🙂 Start baking cookies!
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That’s what I need right now. MORE cookies! (Not)
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Heeheehee! But, David, it’s Christmasssss.. have more! We’ve always got the rest of forever to go jog!
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You are the anti-Jillian Michaels!
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This. Yes. Not fear, not suspicion, but this.
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Reblogged this on Makere's Blog and commented:
This. Instead of fear, this.
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reblogged, David, thank you!
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Thanks for sharing Makere
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Wonderful
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Reblogged this on mezzojan and commented:
What a beautiful experience–just had to share this with my wonderful readers!
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Wonderful! Reblogged at http://mezzojan.wordpress.com
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It is. Thank you for sharing Jan.
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You made this happen through kindness and love. May it be repaid to you a thousandfold.
Thank you for your spirit.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you Doug. Naomi Shihab Nye is the wonder worker here. I’m just a conduit with the share. Glad you and others have enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you for the kind words.
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Gorgeous. Love that story.
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Yes, me too Kimberley. Thanks.
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Having the desire of immersing ourselves in the culture of others will always generate the goodwill to bridge those cultural gaps. Learning other languages is the most direct, as well as just sharing what one does know, with no expectation of return. Hopefully we all will seize such opportunities when they come our way. As long as we can communicate, there is still hope.
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Yes Ben. Well stated. There is still hope.
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Love this so much that I’m gong to share it on social media. I have a copy of Paul Loeb’s book, but have only read pieces of it, and not this one.
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I’m 1/4 of the way through and this story stopped me in my tracks and needed time to digest. It is a wonderful story. Glad you enjoyed it Shel.
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this is the world i want to restore for humanity.
may Allah give me the ability and capability.
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Thank you. Yes…for me too.
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Exquisiteness! Thank you for sharing this story.
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It is awesome! Thank you.
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A most wonderful story … thank you for sharing.
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Hi Annabel. Thank you. I agree.
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Reblogged this on WebMaster 1948.
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Thanks for sharing Mariane.
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Indee my pleasure, David 😉
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Shukran, Habibti. 😉
LOL I was in Jeddah from age 9 to 14, can’t speak sentences but remember common phrases well. Ta’aili Hena! Shoufi! Yullah! Shwayuh (with all your fingertips together)
Cheers.
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Impressive!
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Beautiful story.
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It is, thanks Brittany
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Reblogged this on Marilyn Slagel and commented:
A beautiful story…
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It is Marilyn. Thanks for sharing.
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Kindness and generosity goes a long way. Thank you for sharing this story.
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Yes, Bridget, it does. Your comment reminds me of:
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Reblogged this on Way off the grid and commented:
Genuinely Beautiful …
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It is. Thank you and thank you for sharing.
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I am reminded, ” If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world this would be, ” and “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”,
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Beautiful stated Robert. Thank you.
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also would help if some of spoke more languages; great story!!!
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Put me squarely in that camp (of needing to speak more languages).
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Thank you for sharing this experience. A joy.
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Thanks Robin. I loved this story too…
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I love this story.
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Thanks Kurt, me too…
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Nice story, but obviously fiction. I don’t believe for a moment “This can happen anywhere.” 1) How did the woman get homemade cookies past security?
2) I cannot imagine any airline giving free apple juice because a flight was delayed.
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Amber, someone earlier asked whether story was true or not. Reviews on background can be found here:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honeybee-naomi-shihab-nye/1103371523?ean=9780060853907
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I will be researching a recipe for those cookies and making them for Christmas! I wonder what the plant was–I’m sure it could replace something really expensive sold by our friends at big pharma…
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🙂 Thanks Jane. The cookies did sound scrumptious…
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Yes – that is the world many of us want and believe we can have and then terrorists kill men praying in Jerusalem, and the dream comes to a crashing halt.
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I just saw the news. Sickening and heart breaking.
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None of this could have happened if that Palestinian lady hadn’t been willing to let her emotions show! Would we? Probably not. We pull a stiff upper lip and maybe sniffle into a tissue, but there’s darned little open sharing of emotion here — we think of tears, distress, as signals of weakness and vulnerability. I think most of us would respond to this lady, or to anyone clearly in such dire straits, regardless of our ability to communicate verbally, but we so seldom trust one another enough to signal distress. Trust and response — a two-ended rope!
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Majorie, I never looked at it from your perspective. I’m afraid you are squarely on point.
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As we travel, each one of us is an ambassador for our country /or culture.
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Yes Sharon. We sure are…
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Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
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It is Michelle. Thank you.
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What a wonderful story from a wonderful person.
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It is Carol, thank you.
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Perfect response. I’m so glad you are such a kind person. the world needs more kindness.
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Hi Kathy. Thank you. It is a wonderful, heartwarming story.
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What an “angel” of a person you are. God will truly bless you!
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all Naomi Bonita…
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Reblogged this on Song and dance mom. and commented:
This made my day.
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Mine too Jess! Thanks.
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A moment of heaven, made and shared.
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Yes, Lisa, a difficult moment turned to heaven…
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Naomi is a poet, but her prose is poetry itself–easy to read–easy to visualize–evocative. She should write more of it.
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Yes Alan. I agree. I have several of her books ordered. Looking forward to diving in.
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So lovely to read this – this blog post was shared by a friend of mine in Nova Scotia to me in the Isle of Man! I look forward to reading more posts on your page.
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Hi Ruth. Thanks for dropping by. Thank you. It was a wonderful story.
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A story that makes your heart smile.
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Yes. Smile and swell…
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Such things are so important in the world! Thank you for doing it,and sharing the story. Not everything is lost!
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Smiling. So true. Here’s to more…
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thank you. both you and naomi, david. deeply appreciate these words tonight.
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Hi Kavita. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you.
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I needed to see something like this today. Thank you!
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So glad. Thanks Heidi.
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Thanks for the heart warming story. I have to admit that I held my breath at the beginning. Most stories about the people from the middle east involving planes and airports do not have a happy ending. I realize that I have learned to distrust and you helped me to be aware of my shortcomings. We Americans need to learn to stop and change our opinions of an entire race because of what a few have done. Many small acts of kindness like this one can be of help in doing so.
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Yes, I agree Lee. I think that’s what grabbed my attention and held it.
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Came at the right time.
BeeBo
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So glad to hear it Bonnie.
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Beautiful. maybe cookies instead of bombs and guns? Tastes much better on every level.
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Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Renee, I’m with you.
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An incredibly moving story. Thanks so much for sharing it.
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Glad you enjoyed it Rebecca.
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Reblogged this on Nebraska Medium Amy Akers and commented:
enlightening, human kindness, natural love of being good to others!!!
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Yes! Thanks for sharing.
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i so much agree.
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What a wonderful story! Reminds me of an unexpected delay (well over 4 hours) in Philadelphia due to thunderstorms and mechanical problems… Soon enough a group of passengers began talking and more and more joined in; by the time we boarded, we seemed like a party of friends. We all knew everyone’s stories…one woman was headed to a surprise birthday party, one young man was due at a wedding, my young son and I were returning home from visiting my daughter in Denver, another gal was visiting her cousin not far from us in upstate NY….
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Smiling. Lucky you Linda. In all the years I’ve travelled, I’ve never experienced anything remotely close to what you described. Here’s to more…
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Reblogged this on 365 Grateful and commented:
Nice, nice, message here.
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Thanks for sharing Jennifer.
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Just the kind of world I want to be in. We are not single people, we are a community. Loveliest thing I have read in some time.
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Yes, me too Brent. Especially in the times we live in.
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thank you so much for this lovely, heartwarming and soul-lifting story. How wonderful that this Palestinian woman saw that here, too, we can extend the kind of hospitality so treasured in the Middle Eastern cultures.
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Hi Diana. It is a wonderful story. Soul-lifting, beautifully captured…
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Reblogged this on Kevin Brooks and commented:
Wonderful story; wish I had gone to hear Nye speak.
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It is a wonderful story Kevin. Thank you.
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What a beautiful, inspiring encounter that affected not just the two individuals involved but everyone else in that gate area. What IS the magic word to break down confusion and distance between total strangers?
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So well stated….YES…
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is it a true story?
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Great question Diane. Here’s an excerpt of a book review:
“This small, but powerful collection of poetry and poetic prose loosely memorializes many current events including the war in the Middle East and the disappearance of the honeybees, but it also follows Nye on her personal journeys around the world.” There are other reviews at this link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honeybee-naomi-shihab-nye/1103371523?ean=9780060853907
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Thank you for making my day!
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Hi John. Thanks. I’ve been riding on this wave for a few days now….
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What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it.
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It is! Thank you…
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A wonderful story! If only…
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Yes!
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I wish I read more stories like this. Thank you for sharing it. Simply beautiful.
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So true. The nightly news is such a demoralizing (and narrow) picture of humanity…
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what a wonderful uplifting story.
We do care about each other, and wish we have no politicians on this earth to spoil our happiness. Though we are different in many ways, we are so similar in million ways.
Thanks,
Wahiba
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Well stated Wahiba. Thank you.
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Great story, very pleasant, vivid, and inspiring.
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Great story, vivid, pleasant, and inspiring. 🙂
Vee
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It is Vee. Thank you.
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Thanks – but it takes all of us that have read your story to slam it into our hearts, souls, and brains – this can be our world but WE ALL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. It is not easy. It won’t be easy. BUT it feels so good. Random acts of kindness (or whatever the phrase you like to use). It begins with YOU!
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Yes, Craig, it does start with each of us…reminds me of Margaret Mead’s quote:
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When love shows up beautiful things like this happen!
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Yes!
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I hope all these phone calls were on the airline’s dime lol! Seriously though, thank you for reminding us of the gifts of connecting with each other.
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🙂 I’m sure they were not on their dime. Thanks for dropping by.
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What better way to use one’s minutes 🙂
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Yes!
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wow…..in the big since of this word. To know you mattered so much, at that moment, to someone who was then a stranger and now a part of us all us, has no word. WOW
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Yes Debra. Yes. Exactly.
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This was what I needed to read tonight. This is what I always believed we were when I traveled to Turkey and experienced such acceptance as a 6ft. blonde haired female holding hands and laughing with tiny wonderful women and men, eating their homemade treats by the side of the road. That was in 1983, August. I will never forget .
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Wow. What a great story. Thanks for sharing.
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Always the lovely and beautiful Naomi Shihab Nye. Thank you for sharing. She taught me poetry when I was in elementary school. A vision of color and light 35 years past. She’s vibrates still.
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Wow Karen. You had her as a Teacher. What good fortune. Incredible…
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Beautiful. Poignant. Communion can happen anywhere. And hope blossoms too.
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Hi Erin. It is and it can. Let hope spring eternal.
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Thank you. This is gorgeous.
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Hi Dawn. Thank you. I so agree.
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This is Albuquerque. Thank you Naomi for your generosity and thank you Albuquerque for your amazing people. I love my adopted city.
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Hi Lisa. We could all take a page from Albuquerque. Thank you.
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This story made me cry – how much better this world would be if we shared cookies instead of bullets.
Thank you for sharing
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Yes, so (very) true. Thank you.
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This made my night. Just wonderful. This gracious woman spoke at my uncles funeral in 2003. At his request, she read “The Mustangs” by J. Frank Dobie.
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So glad you enjoyed it Fontaine. And what an experience it must have been to hear her speak…
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I love this story…….
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Hi Deborah. Thank you. Me too.
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Thank you. I needed to read this today. I will be sharing on my networks. Indeed what a world we COULD have. It’s a shame we don’t experience more of this daily.
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Yes. So true. Especially important message given what has transpired in the last day. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on uglyarchives.
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Thank you for sharing Anne.
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How wonderful…yes there are those special moments when all is well. Thank you
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Yes. Thank you.
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if kindness is your king
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And, yes, let’s let “it” be…
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What a beautiful experience. Good of your honoring of life here. Life can be beautiful, all ya gotta do it believe. Thanks for the cry and thanks for sharing 🙂 ❤
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Yes, it was beautiful and an honor to life and all cultures. Thank you.
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This made me cry. In a good way. Thank you, David and Naomi. The world needed this today.
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Hi Beverly. So glad you enjoyed it. It was wonderful. Especially today.
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I want a world where there is no discrimination and no prejudice.
All must learn to live like one family.
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Yes. We have a lot of wood to chop to get there.
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Beautiful.
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It is Trish. Thank you.
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you are a beautiful writer. NEVER stop. Never.
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She is!
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This soothed my troubled heart tonight. Thank you.
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So glad. Thank you for sharing Amy.
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Reblogged this on “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” and commented:
What a positive story…This is the world i want to live in and bring up my children, one where people are patient with one another and willing to overcome barriers of language, color and age..
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Hi Laureene. I agree. Thank you for sharing.
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I’ll be saving this post and hope you and your readers will consider contributing to our upcoming Hurt Society Blog Carnival Call: ePatient Travel Edition at http://afternoonnapsociety.blogspot.com/2014/11/hurt-society-blog-carnival-call.html.
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Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for this inspirational blog as I prepare to travel once more. Reaching out spontaneously to someone in need holds priceless reward.
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Hi Lila. Here’s to you having similar experiences in your travels.
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What a beautiful story … great way to start my day. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Laurie. It’s been some time. Welcome back. Glad you enjoyed this story too….
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Heaven on Earth!
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Smiling. Yes! Thanks Tom.
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As a global traveler, I experience this kind of lovely connection everywhere, not as often as one might expect but just wonderful. What a well-written piece. You should submit it to the ABQ Journal, or the NY Times. Seriously, well written!!
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Hi Sherry. It is Naomi’s story. And I agree, it should be widely published.
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“…passed like sacrament…” What a beautiful image. I want to live in the world of Gate A4.
I’m a baker and I pass out cupcakes…and for that moment, a conversation is spontaneous.
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Smiling. Thanks Julia. There were many memorable images in this wonderful story.
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Wonderful story. Lovely story. And she probably hates Americans and Jews but of course we don’t go into that do we.
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Thanks for spreading hope. Grateful for your words today.
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Reblogged this on oceangirlontheouterbanks and commented:
A beautiful story ..
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Thanks for sharing…
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Reblogged this on Bringing Clair-ity To Life Down Under and commented:
Wonderful…just wonderful.
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Thanks for sharing Clair. I agree.
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beautiful.
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It is Julia. Thank you.
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Beautiful. All is not lost. Thank you for sharing this.
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Yes Janet. I’m with you. Thank you.
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I can’t recall the last time I was this happy to be tearful. Thank you.
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HI Aileen. Yes, it is a beautiful story.
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Simple and beautiful. This happens far more often than the bleak world we are bombarded with images of. Thanks for sharing. I’m leaving the house with a smile today.
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Yes they do Jassen. Unfortunately they get drowned out in the dust and darkness. Glad to hear this story has a similar impact on you.
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Great story!! Thank you! Regarding the plant and cookies…
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It is Laura. It is.
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It has amazed me how many people have been touched by this story. We all have this warm side to us, we just don’t stand still enough to use it. We come into this world with nothing and leave the same way. Why do we hold on to something that will never be ours even if we live to be one hundred. Thank for this uplifting story. Anthony Cooke B.C. Canada.
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Hi Anthony. Your amazement is shared. Like that human wave that rolls around a football stadium or hockey rink, I was awed by the humanity that surfaced with this shared. I sat and watched the comments flood in. All so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with your view. Dave
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I believe that these magical moments serve to mend and heal humanity at a deep level, erasing the differences and the distance that we have created between us, allowing us to see and know that we are truly One. We may think these moments are fleeting and that they pass and are forgotten, but I believe the memory stays within us and shifts each of us and those we come into contact with afterwards. So the moment keeps on giving. Thank you for sharing this beautifully moving and inspiring story of Love and Truth in action. Namaste.
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That is so true Elena. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful thought.
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This is the kind of story I would like to think our world could be wrapped in, especially the USA and the area in which I live. The joy that diversity and understanding diversity can bring is often times hard to detail. Your words, Naomi Shahib Nye (whose words I have read for years), gave us a clear picture of how it could be. This is a story I will treasure and share many times.
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Yes to every point you make Margaret. Thank you for sharing.
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Great post! Well written and I could relate to every word….even checking my shirt for a bit of powdered sugar.
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Yes, Mike. I agree. I could taste the powered sugar.
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Thanks for this! Shared with friends. “This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost.” So powerful.
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Thank you Donna. It is powerful.
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Reblogged this on Jane Arie Baldwin and commented:
My mother introduced me to the work of Naomi Shihab Nye. She is now one of my favorite poets. The picture she paints in this story is how I want to live in the world — to embody it, to connect with everyone around me so that we can be rooted together.
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Thanks for sharing Jane. I wish I was introduced earlier. I have catching up to do.
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This is the world we could live in if people, including me, were more open and less affraid. Thanks’ for the reminder.
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Yes, and it’s not always easy to drop your guard….
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Love Naomi! Had the chance to meet her in connection with the Silver Apples of the Moon Art and Poetry contest in Shaker Heights, Ohio with the library and Cleveland Art Museum, back in 2006.
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Lucky you Janie!
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Reblogged this on Shaman Elizabeth Herrera Blog.
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Beautiful Story:) Thank you for sharing. KINDNESS ALL AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks Nellie. I agree. It is a wonderful story.
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I often have experiences like this in the airport. Before I leave for the airport I always say, “I am open to all magic and miracles.” Here’s one of my airport miracles.
http://taraleighlovesyou.com/shifthappens.html
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You often have experiences like this…that is terrific. You must be open to it and others can feel it…I need a bit you gene pool…
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Tara, you say that You often have experiences like this…that is terrific. You must be open to it and others can feel it…I need a bit your gene pool…
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Tara, you say that “You often have experiences like this”…that is terrific. You must be open to it and others can feel it. I need a bit your gene pool…
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Reblogged this on it'saboutthestory and commented:
This is a lovely human story: posted by David Kanigan, by Naoim Shihab Nye who also wrote the poem Kindness, which you can read at http://www.elise.com/q/poetry/naomi.htm. After reading this, I think I’ll always take a plant with me wherever I go:-)
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Thanks for sharing Claire. I particularly loved the reference to the plant. That will stick with me too.
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You are welcome!
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Thank you. When 9/11 happened, I lived in a town with 2 Jewish Day schools and one Muslim school. I called the Muslim one and apologized for the acts of non Muslims in my town who were talking trash and boycotting Arab businesses. And I asked if they would like to have the kids from our respective schools, Jewish kids and Muslim kids have a day together. We all said yes. We are all people. Peace be with you
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Wonderful story Devorah. Thanks for sharing.
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Ah, what a wonderful story. That is the kind of world I want to live in, too. I do wish people would realize how they can beautify the world with simple actions.
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Yes Chris. I’m with you. Simple actions. Empathy. Kindness.
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thank you… t
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Thanks Tom.
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Wonderful…
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It is Karin. Thank you.
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Such a moving story – thank you for sharing
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It is Leah. Thank you.
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It is Leah, it is. Thank you.
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Leah, thank you. I agree.
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What a story! I took a month-long Amtrak trip in September, partly to see if there were still some decent, honorable people in this world. There were two on one train who were not, but by and large, Isome totally magnificent people crossed my path. Those wonderful people showed me that there is still some hope for decency and honor in this world.
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Hi Bill. So glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing.
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What a story! I took a month-long Amtrak trip in September, partly to see if there were still some good, decent people in this world. There were two on one train who weren’t, but by and large, many magnificent people crossed my path. It is because of these wonderful people I got to meet that I still hold hope that there is still decency and honor in this country and this world.
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Yes. Let’s be drawn to the light. Thank you Stan.
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This is marvelous, thank you very much. Every once in a while I run across something that resonates so strongly, i print it out and hang it up in more than one place around the house so I end up reading it daily. This is the longest piece I’ve ever done that with but it’s definitely as worthy if not more so than anything else I’ve hung on the mirror and doors previously.
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Hi Chandra. This story is worth printing and posting. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for sharing this. We so need to see great stories like this. Nothing epic, just every day kindness and generosity of spirit.
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I’m with you Deb. Thank you.
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I love the fact that Ms. Nye presents this as an experience that she took part in not one that she initiated or directed. This is a modern ‘Stone Soup’ if you know that story. I get almost as much from the telling and sharing of this story as I would have by being there. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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So wonderfully stated. Thank you. I agree. It is Soup for the Soul.
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These types of stories need to make the front page. A nation that moves independently in the same direction is less effective that one that moves together as one.
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I agree James. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it will happen.
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Beautiful. Shared.
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Yes. Thank you.
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Yes, thank you Nim
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Wonderful, I was there briefly with sugar on my lips…
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Smiling. I licked mine too!
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This article made my heart JUMP with hope and excitement. Thank you. These are the types of stories that should be on the news! Love it! Thank you, again.
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Yes, mine too jumped. As to the news, I have almost given up on it.
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How very lovely. I believe that the Lord places you where you need to be and when you respond to someone elses needs you are fulfilling your own. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Sheila. yes…
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Thanks for sharing that, I feel the same way about being the world I want to live in.
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Yes Floyd. Me too…
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Lovely. And rare.
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Yes lovely. And rare, unfortunately. I agree to both.
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Awesome. Thank you for this.
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It is Aurora. It is. Thanks.
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Imagine all the people living life in peace…. O-O
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I’m imagining. I’m workin’ it.
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Story telling at its best. Powdered sugar and everything in between.
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It is Peggy. Moments captured simply and beautifully. A story I won’t forget.
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That was lovely…thank you so much x
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It is, thank you.
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This is beautiful. Thank you!
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It is Kellye. Thank you.
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What a beautiful story! Thank goodness there are moments like this! Thank you for your kindness in helping that woman. She will be talking about the “wonderful time at the airport” for the rest of her life. This made me and so many other readers smile. Just beautiful!
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Naomi’s story is wonderful. Beautiful moments…
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Hi, Naomi,
This is the world as it always has been! People are loving and kind, despite what one reads or watches. Kindness is not co-opted or used for propaganda, and does not have a political agenda, as fear-mongers would have us believe. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes Tom. Thank you for sharing.
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Beautiful. It’s the world in which I too wish to live.
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Yes. Me too…
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Beautiful story! I must read more of your writing!!!
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Thanks Nadia. It is a beautiful story.
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We can (not be afraid to) ‘make it happen’!
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Yes Daniel. It’s not easy with the walls we put up, but you are correct.
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David thanks for posting this here. It all worked wonderfully because Naomi and this lady as well as the others connected at the personal level and they knew they valued each other as people who they cared enough about to help out. Naomi didn’t just help this lady get through this situation but brought something special to her own self and well-being as well as to the other folks around. We need to do this everyday in our dealings with others. Sometimes just a smile when another is down can brighten up their day and make a positive change for them.
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Hi Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And I agree…A little can cascade into an avalanche.
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Wonderful Thank you. I shared it on facebook with this comment: “I you’d like something BEAUTIFUL to cry about, this will do it!”
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Awww, thank you Aleen. It is beautiful.
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Cracked my heart right open. Needed it. Miss my Nonna. Food = Love.
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Mine too (cracked open). And as to the food=love equation, unfortunately there has been too much love lately.
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I love moments like these. What a wonderful moment for you, and for the folks who experienced it with you. Thank you for the reminder of my own special moments in time, those rare but special connections with strangers where anything seems possible and all people, for one moment, are beautiful.
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The story was written by Naomi Shihab Nye, and yes, it is a wonderful scene so beautiful described…
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Beautiful!
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It is. Thank you…
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This is beautiful. I am verklempt. Thank you!
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It is. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Shamsidancing.
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A little kindness…and look what happened! I hope this inspires everyone who reads it to go out there and make a *little* difference…You never know where it might go!
Aloha!
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Yes Kevin. Get one stone rolling and it’s an avalanche. Thanks for dropping by.
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This is a real human story! Thank you for sharing it!
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Thanks Kelton. It is.
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This photo of Nye was taken by WT Pfefferle, January 2004, at Nye’s home in San Antonio. The IMEU has not credited the photographer.
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I will fix that now. Thank you for letting me know.
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Mamool! They really are the best cookie…
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I’ve never had one. I need one!
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Maddie…. the mamool cookies sound yummy. Is there a recipe?
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I wish!
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We should have called Naomi!
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Yes!
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Here is the recipie
http://chefindisguise.com/2013/08/07/semolina-maamoul-stuffed-cookies-with-dates-and-nuts/
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Thank you! I’ve printed and saved this. Next baking project.
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Wow John. Thanks for sharing. A mamool extravaganza!
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Recipe is in their somewhere, too. 🙂
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I’m on it. Thanks John.
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They are way too sweet for me but here is a good recipe http://arabic-food.blogspot.com/2008/12/mamool.html
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Thanks for sharing. There isn’t anything TOO sweet for me. 🙂
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Beautiful story. Thank you for taking the time to change the moment for one stranger and making the world a brighter place.
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It is a beautiful story. My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
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Yes, it certainly is. Thank you.
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I loved the story too. Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
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Thanks Cheetah. I loved it too.
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I did something like this once, at the departure gate from Newark to Tel Aviv, where a middle-aged woman in Palestinian dress was being rudely treated by an airline employee. I do not speak Arabic, but when she finally was released, i sat next to her and tried a bit of English. Nope. French? Nope. So I pulled out a couple of photos of my grandchildren. Aha! She had been in New York visiting her grandchildren. We had a long conversation and a few cups of tea during a flight delay — It doesn’t even take language. It takes . . . what? caring?
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What a wonderful act of kindness. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Restores my faith in humanity – I was beginning to wonder……! Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.
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Hi Faith. It is a beautiful story. Thank you.
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Thank you. Tears in my eyes. Such compassion and sharing. Whenever my elderly mother travels at Christmas to visit, I would always hope that there would be one traveler who would show her such compassion if she were in need without one of us with her. I know this is a story about much more than that, but that is how I envisioned it.
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Hi Dawn. Well let’s hope this Christmas that this wish comes true.
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I’ve always relied on the kindness of stranger!!
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And me, unfortunately, not enough. Thanks Cyndy.
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No, not everything is lost. This post, these words, a precious map back to feeling and hoping.
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Yes Amanda. That’s it…
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One of the most beautiful stories I’ve read in a long time – this says it all about the truth that we are all connected. Thank you.
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It is a beautiful story Anne. I’m with you.
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This is the light that Naomi Nye shines wherever she goes! I’ve met her at some poetry conferences and taught her poems for years. We even exchanged letters once. She is one of those artists who is as a genuine and compassionate as a person as she is talented. One of my all-time favorite carbon-based life forms! 🙂
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Mike, I wish I could have the opportunity to listen to hear in a poetry reading. Would be a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing. You’ve inspired me to drop her a line given the explosion of shares that her work has received in this post. I will do so this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration.
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And it DOES happen everywhere, everyday! Stop watching the typical news and your faith in humanity will remain restored!
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Isn’t that the truth. I watched the local news yesterday. So discouraging…thanks for sharing.
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As the song says, “All you need is love!” Shared and thanks!
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There you go! Let’s go with that. Thanks Ruth.
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Thank you! Such a beautiful and heart warming story. More stories like this should be shared. Let us all be covered in powdered sugar!
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Smiling. Yes.
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When my boys were 4 and 1 we got delayed at Atlanta airport on the way back from Florida. I had planned the flight around the younger one’s naptime, so…as I was trying to corral the 4 year old, comfort the sobbing 1 year old and call my husband about the delay, a lovely older woman quietly came up and took the 1 year in her arms. Within 20 minutes all of the families had banned together to take turns comforting, playing with, and feeding the little ones. By the time the flight was called we knew everything we needed to know about each other, and parted good friends, even thought we knew we’d never see each other again.
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What a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Wonderful. I needed to read this today.
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It is wonderful. Thanks Sylvan.
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This is the world I want to live in. The shared world. Not a single person in that gate— once the crying of confusion stopped— seemed apprehensive about any other person.
Inasmuch as the citizens of the Gaza Strip elected Hamas to represent them, and a couple of days ago some Palestinians murdered five Jews in a synagogue in Jerusalem, it’s stunning to read a Palestinian offering this view.
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Made me good-cry. Look at all the people responding to this tale of kindness…let’s all make this our world, one little old human at a time.
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Sarah, it has been a tidal wave of humanity that has responded to this story. It is heart-warming. Yes. To more of this.
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Thank you for such a calm, beautiful, powerful reminder that it IS that simple and we each hold the power. I, too, wish to live in this world. If we each do a little, each day, I believe we can.
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Yes Leslie, such a simple but beautiful story…carries so much power and humanity…thank you.
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Naomi, you are such a treasure…to us in San Antonio, and to the world. Trinity, 1975
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She is Margery. Thank you.
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Its a kind of relation similar to that one between Le petit Prince with the Desert Fox . You can never forget a such event in your life .You are now unique for each other . That is greatly lovable .Bravo !
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Wonderful comparison. Yes. Thank you for sharing.
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I’ve treasured a little booklet of poems, “Wrapping the Grapeleaves,” for years because of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem, “Grandfather’s Heaven.” Don’t stop writing -ever!!! You have so much to share.
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Loved it, thanks!
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Thanks Margaret.
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Reblogged this on An Average Girl's Blog and commented:
Powerful stuff.
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Naomi, what a wonderful story! Thank you so very much for sharing it.
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It is, thanks Amy
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Awesome story ! It gave me hope in humanity ! 😊😊😊😊
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It is awesome. Thanks Marcos.
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رأيتك أمس في الميناء
مسافرة بلا أهل .. بلا زاد
ركضت إليك كالأيتام،
أسأل حكمة الأجداد :
لماذا تسحب البيّارة الخضراء
إلى سجن، إلى منفى، إلى ميناء
و تبقى رغم رحلتها
و رغم روائح الأملاح و الأشواق ،
تبقى دائما خضراء؟
…
وأنت كنخلة في الذهن ما انكسرت لعاصفة وحطاب،
وما جزت ضفائرها
وحوش البيد والغاب
فلسطينية العينين والوشم
….
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Hi Hisham. I can’t read/understand the language (sorry). I tried Google Translate but I’m not sure it captured the message. If you could translate to English, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
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Sorry for posting without a translation. The words are taken from Mahmoud Darwish’s poem “A lover from Palstine.” Here is the translation for the above copied from the site at the link below:
I saw you last at the port
A lonely traveler without luggage
I ran to you like an orphan, a child
Seeking answers in ancestral wisdom:
How could the green orchard be imprisoned
Exiled, banished to a port
And still remain green
….
And you like the braided palm tree
Unbending to the storm
Heedless of the hewer’s blows
Beyond the claw and the fangs of the jungle beasts
….
Palestinian are your eyes
Palestinian is your name
Palestinian your thoughts-dreams
Palestinian your mantilla, your body
Your feet
http://www.jehat.com/Jehaat/en/Poets/MahmoudDarwish1.htm
..
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Thank you! I’m a big fan of Mahmoud Darkish’s poetry. I appreciate the time you took to share this poem.
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Thank you for this.
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Thank you Steve.
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I heard her recite some of her poetry at the Jonesboro Storytelling Festival in about 1997 in Tennessee when I was there in college. I loved her work so much that I bought The Tree Is Older Than You Are at the festival. I want to live like this: looking for loveliness.
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Hi Abigail. I don’t have this book. Thanks for pointing me to it.
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#Nostalgia… I first met Naomi in 1985 when she & her husband Michael & then-baby/now-adult son Madison & I were all living at the same center Na Bolom in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. We spent a few wonderful months hanging out (while I was also working with refugee and human rights groups there over a 5 year period). My favorite poem that she wrote during that time was this one:
————————————
KINDNESS:
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
-Naomi Shihab Nye
(from her book of poetry “Words Under the Words”)
—————————————————————-
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Hi Lauri. What an experience it must have been to spend time with Naomi and her family. And the Kindness poem you share, is one of my favorites as well. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks David, I’m glad to find your blog for the first time via my old friend Naomi.. I love it when these full circle connections happen..
Saludos…
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Lovely story! Thank you!
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It is. Thank you Susan.
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Reblogged this on The Metta Garden and commented:
THIS…
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Sounds a lot like Aloha!!!
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It does Joel.
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Beautiful. Thank You for everything. Peace be with you all.
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Hi Don. Thank you.
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I love mamoo cookies. Just had few , twice, at my Palestinian neighbors. Lovely story. “Not all is lost” for sure 🙂
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I need to find and try a mamoo cookie. I need to do this. 🙂
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thank you … you put a smile on our faces .. and poked our human side ..
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Hi. So glad. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on 101 Ways to Make Friends and commented:
a beautiful story, shared by Faith Bodnar of Inclusion B.C.
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Thanks for sharing Aaron
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I met Naomi when she did a poetry workshop at Ray high school in 1977. I wrote a little poem that day, something like this: “home is where the heart is, they say, but a house is not a home. I knew a man with a thousand homes, and I knew a man with none. The latter was a rich old miser, and the former was a bum.”
Two years ago my now thirteen year old daughter started studying Arabic. Now her twin brother studies Arabic also. I really never knew why they were learning Arabic, but I guess now I do!
Thanks Naomi.
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Love your “little” poem Kevin. Terrific. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. You made my day.
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Hi. So glad. Thanks for letting me know
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Thank you, Naomi. What a GREAT ARTICLE and your real life as a WONDERFUL HUMAN.
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It is Anta. She is!
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Reblogged this on Global&Co.
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I love kindness and compassion, the touching of one heart to another. Thank you for this beautiful, inspiring true story! Let us continue to carry forth the light of “Random Acts of Kindness”!
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Yes, so true…carry forth the light! Thank you.
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I am in love with this story. It is frakking awesome and so are you for telling it, and making my day in the process. I’m reminded of those youtube videos from Russia called “the video that made the whole world cry” or something like that, each of them six or seven minutes of clips of people helping other people in random public crises as minor as crossing the street to life-threatening floods and car accidents. Why we don’t all live our lives this way every day is even more baffling to me than Fox News.
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Reblogged this on Old Road Apples and commented:
if you read one post today, read this one. I am in love with this story. It is awesome and so is the writer for telling it, and making my day in the process. I’m reminded of those youtube videos from Russia called “the video that made the whole world cry” or something like that, each of them six or seven minutes of clips of people helping other people in random public crises as minor as crossing the street to life-threatening floods and car accidents. Why we don’t all live our lives this way every day is even more baffling to me than Fox News.
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Love your comment Chuck. Thank you for sharing.
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Reminds us that we are all human – and that we create memories when they are least expected.
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Yes!
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After watching an hour of doom and gloom from CNN, this just made my day and my eyes leak some :-). Tanks for sharing this wonderful story
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Me too Mary. Nightly news is a depressant. Thank you.
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Awesome, awesome story. So much heart, so much love.
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Yes, yes, it is awesome. Thanks Robin.
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Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. There is hope in the world.
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Thanks ML. It is a wonderful story.
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I know the ABQ airport really well, and oddly enough, this unlikely scenario anywhere else seems to be not at all surprising there. I know that probably the finest, most generous man I’ve ever known was a Palestinian man who lived in Gallup, NM. I’ve known his entire family well and used to received Eid treat platters from them in the mail. The blend of cultures is a New Mexico tradition several thousand years old. Adding diverse Europeans to the mix was not much of a stretch for that place at all.
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Beautiful story Richard. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you! : )
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Reblogged this on Catharine Cooper and commented:
Yes .. the kind of world I want to live in as well …
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Thanks for sharing Catharine.
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this is such a nice story. hope lots of people will read it and it dispels some of the paranoia and mistrust. thanks for sharing
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It is a great story Daniele. Thank you.
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This is one of those beautiful gifts from living a life of being open to caring. You spread joy on that day, and they all gave it back to you.
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Thank you.
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Your story made my heart smile! Have a blue sky day!
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So glad. Thank you Penny
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Thanks Jane, I wonder if I will stop crying some time today.
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Another Karen crying with tears of hope and joy.
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Awwwww, terrific. Thanks Karen.
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A really heartwarming story, David.
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It is Sylvia. Thanks.
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I’m embarrassed to admit I’d have had to call my father to act as a translator. On the plus side, he used to do that professionally and would get a kick out of it.
He’d also figure out, in the first five minutes, how we’re related.
(And as it happens, I have mamool just outside my office and a cup of coffee in front of me. Time for them to get together, I think.)
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Smiling. Thanks for sharing.
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I was working in a hospital pharmacy years ago when someone came around looking for anyone who knew any French. I’d studied for 4 years, so I joined a pharmacy tech and a few other people in trying to help a Haitian man with a stomach ache. We were given a list of questions to ask and stumbled our way through most; enough to learn what he’d eaten the day before, which led to an easy diagnosis. As we were leaving, I suddenly realized why he looked so confused when we asked, over and over, what we thought was “Have you taken any medicine?” Instead, we’d repeated, “Have you taken a doctor?” I’m glad others’ experiences have been easier than ours was! I’m also glad I haven’t been called upon to communicate in French since then.
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Wonderful story Angele. Thank you for sharing.
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The photo of Nye was taken by WT Pfefferle in San Antonio in 2003.
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I have noted the credit on my post.
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This is a beautiful story, the power of language, the art of making time.
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Yes Shelly. It’s all that…
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Tearing up, in a good way. Thank you.
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Ahhh, yes. The story is so moving. Thank you.
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I met a an interesting man named Joe on a flight between Alaska & Portland. This is the post I shared with my friends on Facebook.
June 20, 2014
Facebook post
June 20, 2014
Portland. Pooped. Leaving Alaska is always so hard emotionally and physically. Had a very nice man named Joe as my aisle mate. I knew right away that he was going to be chatty and I sort if dreaded it since I only wanted to sleep. Something told me to listen to him, that he needed to talk, so after he asked me where I was going and then why I am in Alaska I followed up with… “And you?” I learned so much about this guy in the time it takes to board a plane. He is from Nashville with a polite accent and follows his sentences with hun, and your kindly welcome, born in 48, was in Vietnam, two plane crashes, helped build phone systems in here in Alaska, retired military 20 years ( ex marine) had an injury that now requires him to walk with a cane ( which he seemed self conscious about), was an alcoholic that taught himself to make beautiful leather crafts that he now sells to keep himself out of trouble, that he refuses to turn into a business because of taxes, he had a son die of cancer when he was 19. He talked about his son a lot, as if he died yesterday. Said, I was in war and saw horrific things, but nothing compares to that. I listened. When he opened his phone the first time to show me pictures of the fish he caught,I asked his son in my heart to please not let this go on the whole flight. When he opened his phone again to show me examples of his leather work ( although beautiful) I asked God to please not let there be a third time. When the flight crew said the plane was full but no one sat in the middle seat between us, I imagined Joe’s son getting comfortable in that seat, with a boy’s smile saying, “that’s my dad. Isn’t he amazing? I love to hear his stories.”
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Wow. Tara, I read this twice. Moving. Thanks so much for sharing.
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If we are all open to the present moment and act with an open heart filled with love. We can reach out. Simple as that! We can share, feel the energy flowing, and feel life, joy, love! The world needs more of those open, courageous people, who look beyond the surface and feel what is really needed.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story! 🙂
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Yes, that’s it. Thank you for sharing.
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This is a beautiful story, the type of story you wish you could read more often. Thank you for writing. I will be sharing on my page.
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Naomi’s story is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh Naomi, your sweet spirit makes the world a better place! Thank you for visiting my school back in the 1970’s as our poet in residence. You touched many young lives and clearly continue to do so! I sang “Rutabaga Roo” for my kids years ago in an attempt to get them to eat a lovely soup that included rutabagas. They did not like my soup, but we had a great time singing about it!
❤️ Amy Patton
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Great story Amy. Thanks for sharing.
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Fabulous. Wonderful. Brought tears to my eyes …
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It is a fabulous story Helena. Thanks.
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Reblogged this on sudanisms.
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How lovely! May we all learn to “take the cookies”!
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Yes!
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What a wonderful post. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank YOU for bringing some kindness of humanity back to a day when there is so much evidence that we need it.
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It is a wonderful story. Thank you Beth Ann
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If all Palestinians behaved like this old lady then I’m sure Israel would leave them in peace.
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This is a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it. I love her work!
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Me too…thank you.
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Alice. It is….
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That’s an absolutely cracking story. I love that she knew friends of your dad too. Lovely stuff.
Cheers
MTM
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Great story. I agree.
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Best thing I’ve read online today. Thank you!
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Terrific. Thanks Darin.
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Thank you for bringing this story to us in such a wonderfully told manner. It’s beautiful. The message is universal and significant.
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Hi Mark. Thank you. It is a wonderful story.
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Reblogged this on HonieBriggs and commented:
“This is the world I want to live in. The shared world.”
Me too, Naomi. Me too.
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Thanks for sharing Honie. Yes…
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Beautiful story. I always believed that the two things that bring people closer together are: crisis… and cookies. The world doesn’t need another war. It needs cookies. Powdery sugar just makes it that much better.
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yes, that’s it. Powdery sugar makes everything better. I’m with you.
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Naomi: You are an angel … It’s not easy for older people to travel, especially alone. I must say she was a brave soul to make that Journey on her own… Keep on doing what you do… you made a difference in so many peoples world that day…
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Yes Mary. I was a wonderful story.
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I will share this with my students.
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Fantastic. Glad the post will be used for a worthy purpose…thanks Sarah.
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Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.
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It is a beautiful story. Thanks Cristen.
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thank you
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I’m happy to find you David, and I’m grateful you posted this wonderful story! I posted it on my personal and work FB pages. On my work page, I asked people to find the preparedness lessons, because several are in this beautiful story. It’s posted at http://www.Facebook.com/CARDcanhelp. This story made my day. Hats off to you for sharing it with us all.
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Thank you Ann-Marie. I’ll be sure to check out your link
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A lovely story!!!!!
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It is Jean. Thank you.
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And men think women are powerless! HA!
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Nancy, not sure what men you are around, but this one certainly doesn’t land with that opinion! 🙂
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What a wonderful story. Brought back a memory of something my mother once did. Returning from a trip she met a woman from Papua New Guinea who was stranded at the Toronto airport as her flight had been delayed until the next day. She had nowhere to go for the night. So my mother brought this lady back to her home for the night! Two strangers trusting each other.
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Amazing story. Thanks for sharing Angela. Heartwarming.
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I’m all smiles right now!! At the right place and the right time. Just wonderful.
For those who want to try Mamul, you can place an order online for the best Mamul ever at http://www.zalatimosweets.com
In 1860, Mohammad Zalatimo opened a small pastry shop in the old city of Jerusalem, within the ancient walls surrounding the roman built church of the Holy Sepulchre. And since 1860 Zalatimo Sweets, family owned and operated produced consistently while keeping in focus the original, fresh hand-made taste that Zalatimo Sweets Company is known for and has offered for over 150 years.
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Thanks for sharing. Loved the history lesson…
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Reblogged this on Awake in Los Angeles.
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Thanks for sharing.
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Smiling, David… 😉
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Reblogged this on Elizabeth Nicholas.
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Thanks for sharing Elizabeth
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This gives me hope for humanity!Thank you.
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Such a lovely story, thank you for sharing!
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It is, thank you Laura.
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I think you should submit this story to Travelers Tales, or some other type of anthology. It’s heartwarming, well written and has a great narrative arc. Loved the bit about the plant, and being rooted. Well done.
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HI Carol. It’s Naomi’s story to share. It is working it’s way around the internet. And so glad for that. And yes, the plant and roots moved me similarly.
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Reblogged this on Myra H. Mcilvain.
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If we could just take the politics, politicians and greed out of the world, we would have this. Forget what country you are from and see people for who they are. Not what they are.
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Yes. Well stated. Period. Thanks Maggie.
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Beautiful. We travel a lot, like 8-10 times a year as a family for work and always talk about the travel angels we will see or maybe be for someone else when we travel. Sounds like you were a wonderful travel angel that day. Thank you for inspiring story.
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Naomi’s story is wonderful. I wish I could experience similar moments that she shared.
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Is this a true story of something that happened to Naomi Shihab Nye, or is it a fictional short story she wrote for a book in which it appears? Sure, it could be true, but her occupation is writing poetry and fiction. I’ve come across so many touching stories like this one, so eloquently written — only to be disappointed when I found out that they were fiction by an eloquent writer. I’d like to believe this is true. Can someone confirm?
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Great question. I’ve had similar experiences. I can’t be sure. But this is what I found:
“This small, but powerful collection of poetry and poetic prose loosely memorializes many current events including the war in the Middle East and the disappearance of the honeybees, but it also follows Nye on her personal journeys around the world.” There are other reviews at this link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honeybee-naomi-shihab-nye/1103371523?ean=9780060853907
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Beautiful story, Naomi. I agree – this is the world I want to live in, too. You let your light shine and made it so. 🙂
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Yes, Pat. Naomi’s tory brings us light. Thank you.
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Thank you, David, for sharing. It gives me hope that what lies out there is a better world and the roles we play has a lot to do with it. 🙂
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This story reminded me of how important it is to be able and willing
to listen carefully and provide assistance when and however we can. Kindness is never wasted!
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Yes, Kathleen. Well put. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on This System is Broken and commented:
This moved me deeply. Not only because I have Arab friends, and not only because I have recently suffered racism myself, but because it could have played out so differently. It brings to mind the heartbreaking Robert Dziekanski incident on October 2007 in Vancouver airport. A tragedy that would never have happened if people were not so quick to judge.
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Thanks for sharing the post and your story. It moved me similarly for different reasons, but moved me nonetheless.
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I’m on the vestry (like a board) of an Episcopal church in southern New Jersey and at the end of each meeting our priest asks us to share a ‘God moment’ from the past month. A time when you have experienced God in your like. I’d say that this was a God moment (however you and the others there interpret a god). Peace.
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Yes, we’ll call it a God moment, a spiritual moment, a soul-inspiring moment. A large moment. Thanks Amy.
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Thank you for sharing this story. It bought tears to my eyes- happy to know the beauty out there tears.
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Hi Tania. Thank you. It is a wonderful story.
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Beautiful. Thank you for this really inspiring story. Yeah, we all just need actual, emotional connection. It would heal our world, and this toxic, sociopathic Western culture we’re all suffering under, which is based on screw the other person over, and very cold in its tone. It’s a great thing you did. Thank you.
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Thank you Tristan. It is a beautiful story.
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Thank you for that. I have tears in my eyes. There is still hope, isn’t there?
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There is Melly, there is. Thanks.
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I always go to the airport with the intention of making new friends. That means, usually, helping someone. But, that’s okay, because then I’ve done something good & it helped the time go by & then I have the story for the rest of my life.
This paid off best when my son was only 4 (over two decades ago- WOW!) & we went on a trip to Atlanta. I packed many snacks for him, so as to perhaps be able to keep him occupied & not bother the other passengers. I made about 3 times as much as I thought I would need, but figured: Better Safe than Sorry!
Well, at what was supposed to be a short stop-over, we became delayed by many hours. Snack bars closed, people got hungry & cranky. The folks that had already been pleasant to myself & my child were gifted apple slices, quarters of PB&J sandwiches, crackers & raisins. We shared stories over our picnic & made friends. We got excited with the young woman who was going to see her fiancee after a long separation, & looked at photos of people’s grand kids. We sang children’s songs to my son.
When we finally arrived in Atlanta, the last train was being called…if I missed it, I would have to, somehow, carry my now sleeping & heavy kid & all our carry-on luggage for MILES! BUT, my crew sprang into action! They practically mugged an airport worker with one of those golf cart-thingies & convinced him that he WAS going to get me & the kid to the train on time! Then, they flung my stuff on the cart & helped me up, without ever waking the baby!
Off we went, as our new & never to be forgotten friends ran behind us waving & even blowing a kiss!
What a hilarious sight we all were! Oh, but I’m so glad I packed more food than I needed!
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AMAZING story Annie. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Nice. You Americans sell yourselves short way too often. Proud to be your cousins in
Canada north of the 48th… we got your backs if need be… and, no, we don’t want anything for it… just your smiles…
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Hi Brian. Thank you.
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Thank you for the beautiful story… reminding us that yes…we are all one.
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It is Rahma. Thank you.
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what a lovely story and how the world could be if we only stopped to try and understand that which we dont understand…
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Yes Mareli. So true.
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Nothing can match the joy of helping.
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Yes…
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Wonderful story!
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It is Jody. Thanks.
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great story. And it was believable up until the point about the airline handing out free apple juice. Nevertheless, it is a good story about just being human.
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It is a great story Pete. And from I understand, it happened according to some book reviews that indicated that the essays in Naomi’s book occurred on her trips.
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Reblogged this on THE HURLEY EDITION and commented:
I saw this post on another site, the brilliant Live & Learn by David Kanigan, a fellow Canadian. I have to say, not only is this post very indicative of what his blog is like, his blog is very inspiring to me as I am trying to reboot, restyle, and reset, I guess.
Thank you David for a wonderful blog and thank you to Naomi Shihab Nye who is the author of this excellent post.
I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do.
~ todd
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Hi Todd, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing the post. Dave
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You do live in this world. It is called the USA,. A place where a woman in a hijab can travel by herself anywhere she needs to, get medical treatment that she needs and strangers come to your aid in a time of desperation.
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i am a Palestinian American. Thanks for sharing her story. This shows that people are good natured and generous, What wonderful story….
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Yes Edward. It is a wonderful story. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Natural Born Alien and commented:
This. Such a picture of coming alongside other travellers with grace and humanity.
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Traveling in airports seems to be the big equalizer. We are safe sometimes talking to strangers because we know,, we will never see the person again. I think sometimes,, what if I do? Will they acknowledge the previous moment? I think what you did was wonderful along with the “joining” you got to experience. I am an expat, living in Ecuador, here everyone talks to you,, hello, good morning, good afternoon, good night,, have a great meal,, como esta,,, it is a natural rhythm in my day now.. when I go back to America,, I get silence.
Then I wish I was back in Ecuador where people like to see you.
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Yes Denise. I’ve had similar thoughts when I travel. And do yearn, as you do, to return to the natural rhythm. Beautifully stated.
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Reblogged this on To write is to write is to write and commented:
“. . . This is the world I want to live in.” ~ Naomi Shihab Nye
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Thank you Ellen
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Lovely story. Thanks!
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It is Kaye. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on sun in austin and commented:
I, too want to live in that place.
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Great story! Its a world I think we’d all like to live in!
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It is Liz, and yes. Thank you.
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Love, love, love this.
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Thanks Michael. Naomi’s short story is great…
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Reblogged this on GoogleApps VS Office365.
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Absolutely LOVE this! Bless you!
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