11/11/2023
JRB,
I am trying to make sense of a spiritual jolt I had recently when my 10-year old Friend told me I had soft hands. He said it twice, as he took cubes from me to measure his jewelry box. His statement seemed to me an observation of the gulf between us, so I explained that I had the privilege of using my brain to do my work, that I didn’t have to use my hands to do my job. I don’t know what he thought of that response, but I continue to wonder how to best help him, so he lives to have soft hands when he is 63.
I have too many things to tell you in 2000 characters so forgive me if this letter is choppy.
We had a Vietnam vet to dinner last in appreciation of his service.
Armistice Day reminds me of my dad’s grandfather, Colonel H. Trippe, who received an Army Distinguished Service Medal for his bridge building efforts in the Meuse-Argonne operation in 1918. As someone who preaches WINTA, I find some comfort in knowing he engineered bridges. Crossing divides is preferable to blowing things up.
I also found some comfort in learning about jailed Palestinian leader, Marwan Barghouti (MHIB). N. Kristof (NDK) named him today when calling on you to “create conditions that will encourage the emergence of decent leaders after the war is over.” MHIB, AKA the Mandela of Palestine, is more popular than Ismail Haniyeh or Mahmoud Abbas.
NDK also shared a quote from General David Petraeus’ new book, “We cannot kill our way out of this endeavor.”
My contemplations this AM led me to the realization that the situation facing the Palestinians in Israel looks a lot like the plight of the Rohingya in Burma. They are being terrorized to flee. If you don’t want another Cox’s Bazaar, please put more pressure on Bibi to change tactics.
Have you heard of the 4 Noble Truths? The first doesn’t translate well. It’s either “there is suffering” or “life does not satisfy,” or as my husband would say, “world not perfect.” Hard to accept but a basic truth.
BYBS,
