MY ISLAM CONNECTION STORY

Right after the latest Islam tragedy to Americans, the sensitivity between our two worlds became worse, as you know. Even though, it was a few hundred out of 10 million people who hated and hurt Americans. The news media would like us to believe it is the other way around I think.

Anyhow, my Islam story goes like this: I was walking through Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa the other day on my way back to the States, Chicago to be exact. I was passing a line of people with their suitcases waiting to get up to the ticket counter to get their boarding passes. A woman with two men, all three obviously Muslim, knocked over her suitcase and winter coat. She picked up the suitcase but her coat was still on the ground. No one had seen it drop. I deliberately walked over, picked up the coat and handed it to her. Her husband who was on the far side of her, came around to me and smiled widely, said something I assumed to be "thank you", our eyes and smiles connected for quite a few seconds communicating peace and caring. Then I walked on feeling full inside the one does when they are in touch with their soul purpose.

I will not be noticed for this, I will not win any awards for what I did. But inside I believe it is part of the process of peace at it's core. I have made a commitment to be mindful of little things like this I can do that don't take a lot of time but that gives a message that we are all connected and ubuntu (I am who I am because of who we are together).

Wendy.