Tagged!

Karen was 36 years old and was supposed to get married next month. She died this past weekend. Unknown persons murdered her.  Perhaps they were Taliban. For sure they were people with no hope. She was a daughter, a sister, and a doctor ..

When I heard the news Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but think of my daughter. Jill  is 31 years old and in her last year of medical school. She has an MBA in Global Health and wants to work on delivery of health care to those in developing and third world countries.

Facebook sent me a notice the same day that Jill was “tagged.” It was a photo of her taken in Paraguay in September, 2009 when she was there on a health mission. She’s smiling the sort of smile you only see when there is hope. I wonder, but am not sure if I hope so, or hope not, whether Karen’s loved ones will get photos of her from one year ago.



I get really scared when I think of my daughter being in places  like Afghanistan, or Rwanda or Old Fangak.  But then I also know that in the smiles of the Karen's and the  Jills, there's hope and  and with  hope there’s creation and healing, not death and cruelty. Karen had hope, Jill has hope, and I have hope.



I hope that everyone, especially those I have met face to face at some point in my life, will donate to ISMS, doctors who believe in HOPE.