`With swollen feet, tired legs and aching hips I end my time with my 31 new friends. I bid them Bon voyage at the door of the Olive Tree Hotel and for a moment I feel sad at the parting. But only for a moment. I know that I will see most of them again and the others, their journeys will continue on without me. I was blessed to be with them, each and every one of them, for their time here in the land of the Holy One. I was blessed to be invited into their questions, their sadness, their excitement and their learning. I have been changed for the better for having been with them for 12 days
After my moment of sadness, after a moment of nervousness, I am happy; overwhelmingly delighted at my opportunity to, for the first time, journey Jerusalem on my own. No one to tell me when to wake, when to eat and when to be on the bus. No one to listen to complain, no one to anger me by their short sighted statements about the "state of Israel." I am at last, free.
On Monday, when we first arrived in Israel, I was delighted to run into my friend Jill at St. Georges Cathedral. It does one good to be embraced as she embraced me, as delighted to see me return as I was to see her still here. After a quick reunion and a mention of me staying on after the end of the tour, she said that her husband, Stephen Need, who is the Dean of St. Georges College, might have a room for me. I need only ask. Except that day after day, Tuesday and then Wednesday go by and I still hadn't had a moment to contact him....
So on Thursday morning as I wave good bye to my flock I still have no place to stay. I walk across to the College and, thankfully my reunion with Stephen is almost as lovely as the one with Jill, and he generously made arrangements for my accommodation. Thanks be to God...
And then the reunion that I have been waiting for. Khalil, my Khalil walks into the hall and I throw myself into his arms. Now everyone knows that such contact between a Palestinian man and any woman is absolutely forbidden but Khalil doesn't flinch. He hugs me back and kisses my cheeks. "I think of you often, Tara, welcome home."
He's said it all. I am home.
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