Few experiences on these American shores come as close to highlighting the devastation of war as walking through the thousands of white gravestones at Arlington Cemetery. These document the private lives, made public, of countless women and men whose own lives were cut short by indescribable tragedy. Our group seemed stunned and sobered by the day. Stories of courage and service are absorbed in stark contrast with an awareness of the unimaginably high costs of battle.
I am proud that our kids gave themselves over to the emotional impact of this day and I know that it will long live with them. The tiring day ended in a joyous celebration of Palestinian culture at the Kennedy Center. A choir of some 160 children gave tribute to their Syrian heritage with a feast of music, some songs dating back over a thousand years! I was struck by the powerful combination of music and children to create a bridge between cultures, to engage, through music, conversations that are otherwise difficult to have. Though the beginning and the end of the day seemed worlds and emotions apart, these experiences converged for me in a sense of hopefulness that it is our children who can lead us in ways other than war. Speaking of children…these who are traveling together are more delightful than I could have imagined. They are reflective, relentless in their questions, deeply spiritual, impressively informed, silly, and so very sweetly connected to one another. I now know that these kids will be connected forever.

Michelle