Motherwall

It is officially one hundred degrees in Cairo, Egypt.  The intense heat of the sun makes it very easy to exhaust the inner fuel tank.  One need do nothing at all!  Just be in the sun for half an hour (give or take).  To sit idly works just fine.  Before you know it...  "Ana gyp degaz!"  This is terrible phonetic spelling for a common Arabic phrase that means, "I'm outta gas!"  So this morning I decided to pump the AC and finish a home project that's been on my to-do list.  All done now and my tank is re-fueled.  I'm full of gas!  ;)

For months now, I've pondered the billions upon billions of women before me who have done what I am soon going to do.  To birth, that is.  I imagine these women in so many different settings...  a bedroom, the jungle, a pool, fields and meadows, a hospital room, the desert at night, a taxicab...  doing a thing their bodies are so simply capable of doing.  I especially like to remember the mothers in my life.  They are a source of strength for me; when I think of the personal birth stories they've shared, I believe in my capacity even more.  Creating a photo collage of these women seemed like a good tool for practicing this remembering every day until, and even during, labor.  I love it!  And recommend something like this as a support for any expectant mom who draws strength from the interconnectedness of all mothers throughout time.  

Here are a just a few photos from the wall, minus the two most important that I left behind in Worcester.  My mother and my maternal grandmother aren't in the mix!  Since both have passed on, it feels a shame to not see their faces in the collage.  But I guess when you think about umbilical cords and threads and such, they're quite literally a part of me...  in a way that no photograph is...  and I couldn't possibly have left home without them.  

A Quick Blog Boast

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) schools Justin has been working with were recently highlighted on a news network in Cairo.  The fellow speaking about the project is Essam Heggy, member of the NASA Science team.  Justin and a co-worker took care to translate and add subtitles.  I'm feeling very proud of Justin and want to share this clip with our devoted readership.   Toot toot!  Enjoy!

As a sidenote...  when asked why Essam was drawn to space exploration, he replied, "Being born in a small oasis in the desert, I always wanted to learn how to explore water and understand why stars are shiny in the clear desert night sky."  Yes!  I don't know when Essam first felt this pull, but his remark makes me think of children.  Little ones are so close to 'the source'...  or, to whatever preceded life and whatever comes after life.  The thoughts and wisdom they have while so young are not to be taken lightly.  I hope May and any other children we have are as fearless as Essam in pursuing their greatest personal wonderments.  

Something

Two weeks ago, Justin and I went to the premiere screening at a nearby church of a film titled The Stones Cry Out; The Story of Palestinian Christians.  Filmmaker Yasmine Perni also spoke about her experience creating her first documentary.  During the Q&A a woman expressed gratitude for the illuminating story and asked, in an almost desperate tone, "This is so important to know.  What do we do now, Yasmine?"  Yasmine's way throughout this portion of the evening was honest, humble, and endearing.  She must have reiterated with each question that she is not a filmmaker, has never produced anything, and has very little idea what to do next.  She simply suggested that this woman tell people, share the story, and to keep learning.  In fact, Yasmine suggested this in each response...  and explained that somewhere along her life path, she started hearing a new perspective on an old story.  It compelled her to learn more and, ultimately, share the stories.  To say something.

A few weeks ago, my father-in-law Scott drove me to Logan Airport to catch my departing flight back to Cairo.  We got to talking about all kinds of things, including the bombing at the Boston Marathon.  Scott, Claire, and Aiden were all within a block or three blocks of the finish line when the bomb detonated.  We spoke of the country's reaction (which continues to unfold) and both expressed great hope that it not be one that perpetuates the cycle of violence, hatred, and fear.  Scott had responded to questions from different news sources that week, feeling it's very important to say something...  and to participate in promoting peaceful solutions, at the very least, through the sharing of words and experience.

Just this past week, I've come across articles on Facebook about the protests going on outside the Graham, Putnam, and Mahoney Funeral Home in Worcester.  Owner Peter Stefan has assumed responsibility for the care of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's body and for working to find a cemetery that will welcome him.  Word spread quickly and protestors wasted no time in expressing opposition.  Many claim Mr. Stefan is supporting a terrorist act.  I'm not sure if or how the City of Worcester is involved in this dispute, but if they are I hope they do the right thing and support Mr. Stefan's efforts.  This article is worth reading, as is the Catholic Worker's press release (scroll down) announcing a vigil to be held tonight in support of the burial of Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

More often than not, my mind races with wonderings about roots.  What is the root of hatred?  Of violence, poverty, hunger, oppression, or fear?  I tend to hang back when controversial topics come up, assuming I don't have enough experience or knowledge about history, society, culture, or whatever else to really go to bat...  for a feeling.  Is a feeling enough to move forward with?  Just this morning, someone older and wiser reminded me that it absolutely is.  And my wisdom does run deep.  How quickly we second-guess ourselves and defer or keep silent.  That, in it's own way, perpetuates the very cycles I so often contemplate.

The internet, Facebook in particular, assaults me daily with articles and images of so much.  For some reason, I felt especially triggered by a recent headline about escalating airstrikes over Syria by Israeli warplanes.  Incredible.  I'm not sure what this rambling post is all about.  Like Yasmine, Scott, and millions of others have discovered over the years...  it's just important to say something.  Where it all leads, who knows?  Trust small acts and early steps.  Period.  And what I have to say is I'm certain that the root of violence is not more violence.  Makes me think of something I read about the film The Interrupters.  "This powerful documentary follows CeaseFire, a Chicago-based group - staffed by former gang members - that's dedicated to wiping out urban violence.  The organization treats violence like an infection and seeks to eradicate the root cause."

Fear not, loved ones!  Lighter posts and beautiful photos to come.  :)  Justin had the past five days off and we were up to all kinds of fun and exploration.  Looking forward to sharing those with you as well!  In the meantime, follow the links in this post.  You can watch the trailer for Yasmine's film and learn more about tonight's vigil in Worcester.

And since blogs are better with more visual stimulation, here are a few photos for the sake of photos (mostly taken during my visit to the states).  Consider each one of a million reasons to not get violent?  KEEP THESE THINGS ON THE MAP!

Donkeys!  You know, the Animal Kingdom...

Babies!  Family!  Walking them to preschool in the morning!

Rooftop gardens in Cairo and around the world!  Growing food for yourself and others.

Art!  Self-expression!  Here, zooming in on one of Aiden Schaeffer-Duffy's senior art show pieces.

More family!  And community!  My cousin Kyle Preston is in there somewhere.  

Moss?  Yeah, ancient stuff like moss.  Also healing!  This was taken alongside a stream in Jaffrey, NH near the John Harvey Grey Center for Reiki Healing where I've been studying Reiki.

What's Really a Wonder of the World?

We've been living in Egypt for over three months and I have yet to visit the Pyramids.  I have yet to see the Sphynx.  It is not to say that I have no interest in seeing this Wonder of the World, but I do not overwhelmingly care to (note the first listed etymology on this link).  Maybe for the same reason I find it hard to remember mundane things or harness my attention, I've not noticed my interest turning toward the Pyramids for very long.  Call it what you will...  mommy brain...  uterine brain drain...  I am hopelessly fixed on a different little wonder of the world.         

I am her timpani drum.  Lately, from inside, she wails her very own arhythmic song of creation.  If there were a rhythm to her expression I would be the one to know.  Me.  Mother?  Surely something about all of this defines or even transcends rhythm, but that is hard to explain.  Maybe that something is overall creation...  coming into being.  

Anyway, here she was.  Some of the childbirth preparation work and exercises Justin and I have started include relaxation techniques.  Yesterday afternoon, we were talking about observation as a necessary prelude to relaxation.  I hope you too feel a certain melting-away feeling as you observe this tiny wonder.