Europe Day 8: A Sad Change of Plans

So the plan was that we would pack up from Portugal, fly to Paris, visit a long-lost friend of mine, and then fly home from Paris to Seattle.

As we settled into our hotel after the festivities at Golegã last night, word started to trickle in about the horrible attacks on the Bataclan, which turns out to be very near my friend’s home.

As everyone does in such a situation, we followed the news, horrified and apprehensive.

By midnight, my friend had reached out to let me know that it was no longer a good idea for us to visit and suggesting that we find another route home.

So we have – with sadness – rebooked our flights to avoid Paris.

Upon arrival this evening at Heathrow, the British customs agent enquired as to the purpose of our one-night stay in the United Kingdom.

I started to explain that we had planned to visit my friend in Paris before heading home tomorrow. “Say no more.” He stamped my passport and handed it back to me.

As we reflect on what happened last night in Paris, let’s please remember that these are the monsters. All religions have them. Some days/years the monsters from one faith make the headlines. Some days the monsters from another faith make the headlines.

The vast majority of us, no matter what tradition we practice (or choose not to practice) are not monsters. Let’s please remember to treat each other as not-monsters, regardless of our differences.

That’s how the monsters lose.