There is a lot to be sad about in the world, the US, and my personal sphere. A friend/colleague and sister-in-law with cancer, one esophageal and now needing a feeding tube, the other undergoing chemo for Stage 4 ovarian cancer after surviving breast cancer two years ago. A friend whose 20-something daughters with eating disorders have relapsed. My mom, who despite needing the care we provide an infant, has an overpowering will to live. I am guessing you may have similar tales these days.

I always turn to nature for strength and reminders of the greater force. On my walk this morning at an old amusement park turned city park along the water, it was full on summer: spikes of mullein yellow with flowers, sumac with burnt red spears, purple crown vetch ground cover, and my favorite to see and say – yellow bird foot trefoil in patches of green grass. There was the cardinal singing passionately at the top of a branch at the top of a tree, and a pair of deer, the male with new furry antlers.

I zoomed with a colleague in Palestine this weekend to help her with a project toward her Masters of Education from Dundee in Scotland. The Palestinians always remind me of the social graces. Before we dove into her document she asked how I was, how my mother was. Her life is much harder than mine, so I always wonder how much to share. The gift of my visits to Palestine are a greater appreciation of all I have here in my life in the US. However, this time I was honest about my mom and sister-in-law.

I asked her how things were in her sphere. “Things are difficult, I can’t remember it this bad.” This is someone how had to borrow a donkey to ride to medical school in the early 2000s. Her 30-40 minute drive into the university is now 2 hours. She updated me on out mutual colleague with esophageal cancer. Her kids are out for the summer, but they can’t leave their town due to security issues, so summer will be videos and playing games on their phones.

We acknowledged the challenge of life, the suffering, and the need to pray. And she added, we can support each other. Thank you, Suha.

Let’s remember to support each other.