Seven Years On

Alone at the new flat. Hardly feels like home. Everything's in boxes, dust everywhere. My husband was shipping the kids to my parents,(or was it his),so that we could arrange things and clean up a bit. It felt cold and empty, in spite of all the clutter surrounding me. I looked for a radio for some company .The boxes were labeled but with stacks upon stacks of sealed boxes ,finding one was an impossible task. The only entertainment available was the VCR, which we hooked first thing ,not to miss the mandatory daily dose of Barney and Friends. And the only video tape I had around, with songs that did not revolve around pop corn ,and mac-and-cheese ,was our wedding video. Everyone agreed back then that our DJ did a wonderful job. So there, the music rolled and I went to the kitchen to start the long long process of arranging cups and saucers, plates, pots, pans, cutlery, other silverware,(melon scoop and garlic crusher, vegetable garnishing peelers, that lovely syrian invention; zuchini hollower thingie, who uses this stuff anyways..I always buy my zuchinis hollowed, life's too short for that sort of work)pizza maker, fondue set, you might wonder? but that's great stuff for a small party. You never realize how much stuff you have till you move. I'm not moving again!!EVER!!!

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS POST'S ABOUT.

Going back and forth to the living room, I caught glimpses of the wedding. Sometimes catching my attention that I'd leave the water tap running while I sat for a few minutes to see what's been going on. Who are these people? SERIOUSLY. Something like 600 people were there. Do you really expect me to know all of them? But this tape's been causing me long sleepless hours for a few days now.

Do you know what could happen in less than seven years?

Do you know where you might be in less than seven years?

Do you know if you will BE in less than seven years?

HE, was a very good friend of ours. Can you see him wipe off my husbands forehead with his handkerchief, and hand him a sip of his scotch while we were dancing? We don't talk to him anymore. He wasn't that genuine after all.

SHE, looked so radiant in her black dress. Beautiful and merry. Dancing with her husband. Last year she died of cancer. At the age of thirty!

THEY danced the night away, looking like love birds. I never liked her much though. Two years ago, they divorced, after twenty years of marriage.

SHE, was single. Nice, kind-hearted girl. Since then, she got married. And divorced. Twice. To two different men. Now, she's happily married to the third, with two kids.

HE, was so vibrant, the soul of the party. Happy and proud. Now he's sick, but fighting like no other man would. He will be better very soon I know, if anyone can do it it's him. Peace, man!

HE, was the DJ.A few weddings later, he died in a car accident.

HE, grew up into an amazing young man. Got married and has a cute little baby.

THEY, were still dating then, we danced at their wedding 2 years ago. They were the last to visit us n the old flat, drinking and eating out of paper stuff, and the first non-family to pop in at the new one with dai3a shawerma for a lovely night after a long moving day.

SHE, graduated with honors, pursuing her Phd now.

THEY, had a baby after years of anguish waiting. The other's on the way.

AND US? Here we are: the few years scheduled to be spent in Qatar were reduced to ten months. We moved three houses since then, still pursuing our careers, have two beautiful kids, or at least I'd like to think so!

Our families are both doing great. We may wish them better health, more comfort, and more ease of mind, but the Lord has been good to all of us, and for that we're thankful.

Seven years on, ten years on, fifty years on....tomorrow, or even next ten minutes, your world might spin around in a matter of seconds.

Live, and let live. And most of all Enjoy.

May 1st 2006