More Alike Than Different...

“My heart cracked wide open with love tonight.” 

She messaged me.

Ruth and Andrew held a birthday party at their house for the mother of the Syrian family that Ruth sponsors.

That family has come a long way in the last year. The five of them, fully vetted, spent months in relocation camps before winding up in their two-bedroom apartment in San Diego. With Ruth’s help in translating and deciphering the rules of their new country, they’ve gone from being homeless, jobless, non-English speaking refugees to the opposite of that. The kids are flourishing in school, the family is bright, educated, and no longer feeling so displaced by the horrific conflict in which they had no part to play, other than victim.

Ruth has helped them navigate the waters of their new world, and helped to quiet the voices of hate that could be overwhelming if they didn’t see firsthand that we’re not all like that.

Mostly, they’ve worked very hard to prove themselves worthy and to provide for their family. Everyone pitches in. The kids don’t have to be asked to help prepare the food, serve or clean up. That’s how they roll.

Each visit is an occasion to celebrate with a multi-course meal. Please eat. Sit. Relax. Tell us about your family, your parents, your work. Tell us everything.

They hang on every word.

They were so grateful for the invitation to come see Ruth in her own house. To spend time with Andrew and Lilly, to meet some of Ruth’s friends.

She probably gains more from the relationship than her Syrian friends do, and it is huge for them.

I look at these pictures and am reminded that we are all more alike than different.

I think of the hate that’s been directed toward them, victims of a war they wanted no part of, and I’m reminded of a quote I saw recently:
The greatest form of ignorance is to condemn something you know nothing about.

Most of all, I look at these pictures and am reminded how simple it all is when we embrace our commonality and reach out a hand of friendship, you to me, me to you.

That’s the real answer to world peace, and it is so simple, when we let it be.