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Hello All,

I typically write my blog all week. I do a draft – I rearrange – I add and subtract – and, even after I send the final version, I see changes I wish I had made! So what you will read that follows this paragraph is the blog of the week. But after the events of yesterday, I just had to add this note. My thoughts, prayers and love go out the families and friends of our 13 U.S. Service members and the Afghan people who lost their lives in the senseless bombings in Kabul. Our brave military service members were true heroes. They were standing guard, helping other people who sought hope and freedom, refuge from their current world and existence. I hope they knew – to their very core – that they made a difference in the lives of others. I stand in awe and incredible gratitude to every person who is a member of our military forces, now and in the past. Their bravery knows no bounds. Their commitment to peace and justice knows no end. May God protect our military members, our nation’s true treasures, and all other people involved in this ongoing process to bring people home safely…..and everywhere else they serve across this world.

As I have watched the worldwide events of the last few weeks – fires, floods, hurricanes and all of the exits from Afghanistan – I have had a heavy heart for all involved. I am not being political; I am being human. How difficult it has to be for each and every person to see their physical home go away – by flames, by waves, by wind, or from the air/car/foot. That is further complicated by time, or really, the lack thereof. It is not like these are carefully planned moves with elaborate orchestrated lists and gentle packing of the family keepsakes. These are wild and desperate moves due to the circumstances.

It made me wonder, how would I handle this? What would I take if I only had time to grab the most important things? How would I triage my home, full of sentimental things, to what was core? Of course, I know things are not the most important – it is my beloved family (2-legged and 4-legged) – so they come first, no matter what. As Cecelia Ahern wrote, “Home is not a place…it’s a feeling.” And my feelings are all wrapped up in my family and friends. I know many people have lost and/or have been separated from their families and friends. Those losses are heartbreaking. I pray for peace for them.

There would be some treasures I know I would need to take. But how do you pack a whole life in one bag? I would definitely need to take Bob’s laptop! As you know, he is the king of spreadsheets and pictures! Much of our recorded history is all digitized in that laptop – from our medical records to budgets to trip itineraries to pictures from our courtship to today, and so many family and friend pictures. Years full of memories and dreams captured. I am sure I would need my e-reader – have you ever known me to be without it? (That would also be good to keep me from driving Bob crazy!) And, I am my mother’s daughter, at least one change of underwear!

Then I am stuck. Not about big things – artwork, furniture, plants, computers can all be replaced. But about the small treasures of my heart. The cards from my parents, friends and Bob. The first edition book from my favorite author. The afghan my grandmother made for me. The quilt a patient’s mother gave me that she made during the many, many nights she sat in the waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit. The gifts of angels from staff members over the years. Christmas ornaments from far flung places and those homemade treasures. My collection of Groots (because we are Groot!).

How does one choose? What would you choose?

I know each and every one of these people had pieces of their hearts scattered – and shattered. Though it may take time, I pray they find new homes, a new calm, new hopes and dreams. I hope they make new memories to treasure. I hope that the proverb “home is where the heart is” – where their friends and families are, both old and new – brings them strength.

I pray for peace.

Phyl