I keep saying that following politics on the internet is bad for my liver. I keep saying I'm going to swear off the internet, blog less, and focus on healing.
The events of the last two days in Lebanon convince me that now is the time for the Dove to shut up. I am going to pray, for myself, my relatives, my father's compatriots, my own compatriots, the salmon run in California, the people of Palestine, Iraq and Egypt, Myanmar and Darfur. I pray for the rainforest and the oceans, the polar ice caps and the polar bears, the honey bees, the mountain snows, the wheat crop, CO2 levels and the restoration of harmony on the planet.
I have nothing more to say for the moment on the subject of Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, America, Iraq, Iran or anywhere else. May God help us all.
Today was a good day in chemotherapy. I laughed and talked with another young woman who has metastatic breast cancer, as I do. Her son is three, my two are six and eight. We have everything to live for and we intend to survive. Afterward I ate at my favorite Middle East deli, King of Falafil on Divisadero Street; the proprietress is from Ramallah and gave me some green almonds to taste; I promised her I'd get her fresh grape leaves from my secret Oakland source. Then I came home and saw the news.
Only God can heal me of what I have got, and only God or Ultimate Life Force or Universal Intelligence can heal the people of the eastern Mediterranean; only God could knock some sense into George Bush/Dick Cheney/Condi Rice. So I'm signing off and giving it all up to God. (The Great Mystery/Ultimate Unknown/The Tao/Your Favorite Big Prime Mover Term here)
Pray for me. Pray for all of us.
And don't forget to plant a food garden, use your bicycle, turn off the lights and conserve water.
Leila, I don't think of myself as the prayerful type, at least when it comes to religion of any kind. I'll go with "The Great Mystery" here. But my heart is full of love and hope and good wishes for you, for your liver, for all of us. Turn off the news. You don't need it. Enjoy your garden, and I hope to laugh and maybe enjoy coffee/tea with you someday soon in our "hip" neighborhood. As your body heals itself, so may the planet. Love.
Posted by: Ericka | May 08, 2008 at 08:50 PM
AMEN!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
Julie
Posted by: Julie @ the calm before the stork | May 09, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Leila, when I saw the headlines this morning I thought of you at once. It is so sad. I am sad for all of the nice people caught in the middle. I am sad for the destruction. I am sad for the stupidty. I am sad for you. I too pray for peace, in our lives and in our world. God bless you and your family.
Posted by: Grandpa | May 09, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Leila, we'll pray, me and my family, for all of us :-) and we'll try to plant a food garden (but no promises ok?). Stay well dear.
Posted by: Moussa Bashir | May 09, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Loz akdar!!!
I'm praying for you too, Leila!
Salamtik!
Posted by: Judy | May 09, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Keep your mind and spirit where they need to be: on your recovery. All best wishes for your health, Leila.
Stephen
Posted by: Stephen Frug | May 09, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Leila,
Thinking of you and your far away family. You are all in my prayers.
Much love,
Meg
Posted by: Megalicious | May 10, 2008 at 07:18 AM