In Israel there is a mother weeping in sorrow. Her daughter was killed on the frontlines fighting for her country. No home. No clothes. No food. And now her only child is gone (in the name of a century-old conflict). The only thing she has in her possession is a blanket that both her and her daughter would share while sleeping in the shelters. Tears falling rapidly down her face, this mother clutches the blanket and yells "Hashem." This is us.
In Palestine a husband is mourning the death of his wife and four children. Israeli drone strikes even did a number on his neighbors. The drone strikes took place while he was at the masjid. Returning home he noticed a scene of what use to be his house. Pushing through the crowd he could not believe what he saw. His family's remains were being put in body bags. Filled with anger and rage his muscles intensified. Eyes bloodshot red he yells at the sky "Yakhsaf allah bin al'ard" (May God Swallow the Earth underneath him). This is us.
On the Mexico-US border there is a younger lady with dreams of becoming an engineer. As the bus leaves the refugee camp the Gigafactory (Telsa) can be seen in the distance. The site of this building makes this young lay's eyes light up. Her deepest hope is that she will be able to achieve her dreams based off of the content of her character and not the color of her skin. This is us.
In the Southside of Chicago, a young African American man lives in a two-bedroom apartment by himself. His grandmother died from covid back in 2021. An aspiring artist he has done a few murals for the local businesses in his community. Colors such as red, black, green, and gold represent unity and freedom to this young man. Walking around with a heavy heart, his goal is to make people's day with his gift of art. This is us.
In Lewiston, Maine a young lady is walking on a street that has nothing but vacant buildings. Her optimism dries out with every second, minute, hour, and day. The evening sun hits her red hair, pale skin, and freckles. At eighteen her eyes are determined, her chest is upward, and her back is facing the wind. Once she finishes high school she will chase a determination. A determination to get more out of life. A determination to meet people of different clothes. A determination to learn more about herself. This is us.
Fishing has become one of my favorite activities since coming to Refuge. I caught two tilapias today. We all go fishing a handful of times in life. Whether it is for acceptance. Whether it is for our identity. Whether it is our place in the world. Whether it is to supply our needs. Whether it is to uplift each other. Whether it is aiming to understand each other. This is us.
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