That Elusive Feeling of Safety

Dear Readers,

This has been an emotional and difficult last 24 hours here in Nairobi.  As of last night (Sat), we were still waiting to hear from a friend (she’s fine) and we heard this morning (Sunday) that our nanny’s cousin was rescued at the mall at 9am unharmed.  Without a doubt, it was the scariest night of her life. So many people dead.  So many injured.  The city is reeling.  As far as we know, at this moment (3pm Sunday), the standoff continues between police and the Shabab terrorists.  It is rumored that they have hostages.  Just awful.

One small spark of light from this horrible situation:  everyone we know has been really great, being in touch, trying to comfort one another.  We attempted to give blood, but the line outside the hospital was too much for J.  Hopefully I will go tomorrow without him.  It is the only thing to do.  Considering we arrived in this country only 2 months ago, it feels like there was an entire community of people concerned about us and we about them. 

Whether it’s the guards at our complex, our electrified fence, or our distance from the mall that was attacked, we feel safe.  We went out to the synagogue sukkah today and visited with the rabbi and his family.   The streets were eerily empty.  Our local mall and grocery are still shut. 

When I start thinking too hard about the attack, I wonder if I , in a similar circumstance, would act fast enough to protect myself and J.  I wonder if I would make the right decisions – run or hide?  DW reminds me that this is ridiculous thinking, that one can never know what will happen in life and that there is no real way to be prepared.  I suppose he’s right.  After all, in this day, you can be the victim of random violence in a mall or school in the U.S. just as commonly as you can be the victim of terrorism here or anywhere.  That lack of control is disconcerting, but uncertainty is part of life, right?

We appreciate all the kind words that came from Israel, Jordan, the U.K, Mexico, both coasts of the U.S. and places in the middle.  We’re doing OK and are praying for the lives of the hostages to be spared. 

Keep them in your thoughts,

Love, M/D/&J