Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Refugees

As rockets keep falling on my hometown the past three days and dozens of people get hurt, we decided to extend our stay until Sunday. We can't really afford to, and at the same time, we can't afford not to.

What do you call people who cannot return home because their homes are in the midst of a war zone? Refugees, no? It's hard to admit and difficult to swallow, but this is the situation.

Of course, I can return home to Canada, but my family?

We went into the city yesterday evening, and the feeling was eerie. I'd say that 80% of the people were refugees from the north. People looked lost. People were in the city because they had no other place they could be, nowhere to go. Just like us. Most people on the phone, stand around, look around, unsure what to do next, where to go next.

It's not a holiday feel as much as we try to lighten our hearts. We're not home. How long can people stay away from home like that? We feel it. None of us are working and the end doesn't seem to be near.

Thank goodness for kids and babies. They're the only ones who manage to make us smile these days.

We're hoping for a quick peaceful solution.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Melly, glad to hear you're doing okay. I may not be commenting every day, but know that I'm checking in often and thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

Just letting you know I'm reading. And thinking of you.

B2 said...

I have no comment that could approach expressing how I feel... but I felt I should let you know that people are reading your words and hoping... for... something....

off line said...

Children are wonderfully amazing in the way they can lift us no matter what life is bring on. I’m glad you and your family are safe and I hope you remain.

I think about you often. I think about the people everywhere who are suffering the terror and then the horror of wars.

Sorry i've been out of touch--my computer was being worked on.

Kathleen Bolton said...

Stay safe, Melly. You're all in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Melly, hang in there okay. I hope that you are doing well and this insanity will end soon. Kids always bring a smile to peoples faces. I feel so bad that these kids even have to be in this situation.

Wren Violet said...

This is the most wonderful, humanist blog. Thank you so much for publishing. You and your family are in my thoughts. Be well.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you and your family got out of Haifa. Also, I'm glad the bomb that landed near your parents' home turned out to be a dud.

Anonymous said...

Melly-

I've been away on vaca for a bit and yours is the first blog I've visited since I got back. I thought of you every time I read one of the screaming headlines in the paper.
I hope you're staying safe.
As far as the "refugee" term, I think you almost answered your own question: Most people look lost.
Lost is a terrible place to be and certainly not home.
Home is somewhere inside you and never that far away if you can find more than 3 seconds of peace.
Be strong.
Be hopeful.
Find home soon.
You do it with the characters you write about, now do it for yourself.

~Michaelm

off line said...

Hi Melly or "Hubby"
thinking about you and sending out prays
best,
edie

rdl said...

Hope to see a post soon. I'm sure internet access is difficult as well as phones. please stay well.

Melly said...

Everybody, thank you so much!

Noah, thank you.
You're right, I'm back at my parents now as opposed to all those Israelis whose houses have been destroyed by rocket attacks from Lebanon (courtesy of Hezbollah) and who are the real refugees.