Happy 24th, Denys!  Three years ago, you were half my age.  Kisses.

Why am I not here? 

The effort is continuing right now. 

Regarding the Six Day War, in June of 1967, Golda Meir remarked, "We can forgive the Arabs for killing our sons.  We can’t forgive them, however, for forcing us to kill their sons.".  In that conflict, the Isrealis were outnumbered three to one, yet they prevailed.  Today the tables have been reversed, and today it is the Palestinians who must forgive the incomprehendable agonies inflicted on them by their Isreali occupiers.  This may be possible, though it may well be more than any of us remote from the killing can rightly expect from any people.  But even beyond this, beyond forgiving the injuries recieved, now each side must additionally forgive the other for forcing it to draw the blood of its enemy's sons. 

If I were there, even in that land of miracles, could I ever in my life forgive you for making me a killer?