Desert memories

I was looking back on my time in Oman, and there are certain memories that I cherish. I did not realize how much they would impact my life until I was home, reflecting on how amazing it all was.


This little girl was a cherished, beloved daughter of Omani beduoins. For some blessed reason she trusted me, enough to sit in my lap, and hang out while everyone was bustling around us.

This night I was able to see the kindness of the Omani people come to life. This little girls family invited all 12 of us over for dinner, gave us their goat, filled the room with tea and coffee and fruits.. the most exotic foods. They gave us their guest room, and allowed their son to show us the desert. We slept under the stars that night. I remember shivering around 2 am, and waking up to 90 degree sun at 5:30 AM. The women in this family prepared for our visit, but did not sit with us or share stories, or the food with us. They waited inside, until their bravery or curiosity got the best of them, and they asked the women to come in and join them. What an incredible honor, this group of women who did not know a word of english wanted to meet us.

So we entered their home, sat in their parlor on cushions, and watched each other. We did not speak, we just smiled. And we shared the one thing that all women love... children. They brought their babies in, and let us hold them. They handed their babies over to us, proud as can be, and let us love them a little. Then they brought in perfume, and sprayed the palms of our hands, and smiled some more.

What an incredible memory.