My Absence(s)

Hello there! With my blog stats at their lowest, I figured I might as well scribble something down today. I've been in an Autumn fog, reading the same blogs I always do but not feeling up to writing. I walk around most days composing posts in my head but never sit down. And that's OK. So,

• I have two friends on mini-vacations to the US this week. Hello friends! I hope you are having a wonderful time in the short time you've been allotted on these trips. A mini-trip to the US is better than no trip, I say. Enjoy whatever it is you love most about the states. For me, it's freezing cold grocery stores and smiling faces.
• On Tuesday Amman received a deluge-ish rainstorm and could not handle it. My flat was flooded via our garage (which is above us) with all of the filth, oil, water, grime, dust, soot, weeds, and small pebbles that make residence on our street. It was a comedy of errors, for sure. Did anyone ever see that E.R. episode where Dr. Ross saves a boy whose been swept away in a flash flood? It was kind of like that, only no one was drowning. I was desperately trying to find the cover that had blocked my drain and was up to my shoulders bent over in water in my garage. Thankfully, two harises saw (or heard, help! help!) me, and came to assist. In their good intentions, they tried to close a flap to my bathroom window's fan, but instead pushed my bathroom window completely inward and allowed the 3 + feet of water to go rushing into my home. The rest is a blur. No, it really isn't a blur, I remember exactly what happened, but am choosing to keep those details to myself. It's just all too painful. *Cough cough*
• I pray for the Egyptian national Muhammad Imam and his children who perished in this flash flood on Tuesday. I pray for his surviving wife and child. It makes my ordeal seem like nothing at all. I will say that the streets of this city are the most ill-equipped to handle any sort of rain, much less a deluge that falls within a matter of hours. Someone must do something about these drainage problems. And for God's sake, harvest that rain water for something useful.
• This week I realized just how old my mother-in-law is. I realized how her memory is beginning to fail her, and how I must write down more of her stories before they are lost forever. She is frail and scared, and I've realized how much of my time is focused on myself, my packed schedule, my "me time" activities that fill my calendar while the kids are at school. And I think about her, and how much she's given everyone, and how little she truly asks for. Dropping by once a week to see her (other than the required Friday) will not kill me.
• This month I've made some failed attempts to be a "bridge-builder." Not only have these attempts failed, but also have they more or less blown up in my face. I've received several "word lashings" from the party(ies) I've tried to reach out to. Mean stuff. This, while painful, has allowed me to see a few things. First of all, not every one wants peace. Secondly, not only does every one not want peace, but also may need to inflict suffering, to wield power, or to just be cruel. Thirdly, the infliction of suffering is thought (by said inflicter) to be his sought cure, but even when he gets what he seeks, he will still feel soulfully destitute. And only God may help him. Apathy on my part, therefore, is not necessarily a negative thing.
• This week I've wondered why I'm never on Rainbow Street eating ice cream at the same time these famous people are. The pair made an appearance at Lickety Licious ice cream shop on the First Circle. Brad ordered krokan. Did you know that krokan is my favorite flavor? Krokan ice cream, krokan cakes--I love them! Who can't love crushed up caramel chips? I used to live a few blocks behind SOS Children's Village, too. And my neighbor around the corner went to high school in Missouri with Mr. Pitt. Her sister even dated him briefly. Yes, I'm so connected. We musn't forget, however, that what happens in Fight Club stays in Fight Club.
• I received great and exciting news about my dear cousin, only child of my sweet precious aunt who passed away last March. She's coming to Amman in December to spend a few days with us before joining a tour group in Palestine. She will be here for Christmas, and I know that my beautiful Christian friends will help me host her. I am absolutely beyond excited about her visit.

Folks, that's about all I can muster this fine Saturday morning. Hope you all have a great, flood-free, insightful, peaceful, movie-star viewing, family-visiting week.