A Meditation on Family

It really is incredible

The culmination of words and actions

That bring us to this present moment.

Not ours alone

But those words our parents spoke

To our grandparents

And the actions our grandparents took

In defiance of our great grandparents’ wishes

For every action yields a positive reaction

Yet, many would argue there are also negative ones

But, that is a matter of perspective.

How could something have gone awry

When it’s all lead us here?

In a small mountain town in Lebanon

My mother’s father stood for his family.

He was murdered in front of them.

This can be viewed as negative

But, his life and his death was a catalyst,

A loud spark ignited by gun fire

That painfully, like trees feel

When they are scorched

From their boughs to their trunks,

Fueled my aunt’s, mother’s and grandmother’s lives

Leaving their baron forest floor

Scalding and smoking with heated emotion.

But, beneath the surface

Their roots were intact,

Needing a bit of time for the earth to cool

Before sprouting anew.

Though, unlike trees,

Our roots cross oceans and deserts

Leading us to new fertile soil.

Had it not been for this destruction,

As seemingly unnecessary as it was,

It’s unlikely these ladies would have left.

My cousin, brother and I wouldn’t be alive.

Memories created and stories shared,

A mirage of an abundant well in a desert.

His death was a catalyst for a life unexpected.

Every action, if given enough time,

Yields a positive reaction.

No experience should be taken for granted.

Not an ounce of love should be wasted.

Not one minute should be spent choosing to suffer.

Our coordinates are pre-programmed

Life will take its course

And when life’s path misaligns with our plans

Just ask this question,

“What can I learn from this?”

And take this perspective,

“These happenings, today,

Will lead me to many future moments

That will exceed my wildest dreams.”