Mornings in Jenin

Colours of My Life  Photo Challenge Day 19 - A picture and a letter (choose any photo and write short entry to explain why you've chosen it).

Edited post: I didn't actually write a letter like the rule states the first time I posted this so I'm writing it over.

August 2007
(During our visit for my brother-in-law's wedding. That's Jenin reaching for the bread.)

Dear Jenin,

I did not know what to expect when I first came to visit you.  I was nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time.  Pregnant with my first child, I entered your city limits with hopes that I would be able to win the hearts of the extended family of my husband, broken Arabic and all.  As I looked out the window of the taxi, I gazed upon your souks, markets, your produce stands, and flower lined streets.  Somehow this is not as I imagined you but I was genuinely pleased. 

My husband's family came out in huge numbers to greet me and feast over an amazing BBQ outside in the warm summer evening.  I struggled through my sentences with the little Arabic I knew and not once did they laugh at me.  I told them about America and they told me about you.  I knew that you as a city had made this amazing family what they were.  Generous, laid back, and forgiving.  

Your green fields, the falafel sandwiches, and the streets of your souk all won me over. Such an amazing impact that you had on me as a city, that I named my first born for you.  To honor the short week that I spent there that left me in love with it's town and it's people.

I am forever yours.


Original post:
 I first visited Jenin, Palestine when I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter Jenin.  I still hadn't known the gender during my visit.  I was incredibly nervous about meeting my husband's entire family especially since he was not with me.  They welcomed me with so much love and generousity that I was overwhelmed with joy.  I found myself crying out of sheer happiness so many times during that week long visit. I blamed the hormones because they were starting to think I was crazy.  I had always dreamed of  being part of a large family and here they were with arms wide open. 


My experience that week is what essentially lead me to name my first daughter after the city that had taken me in as it's own.  It's a much more detailed story, but Sha said keep it short.  ;-P