As we travelled along the Silk Road, from this charming caravanserai to the centre of Sufism, our guide Metin made the following comparison:
St. Francis of Assisi~Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Rumi~In generosity and helping others be like the river. In compassion and grace be like the sun. In concealing others' faults be like the night. In anger and fury be like the dead. In modesty and humility be like the soil. In tolerance be like the ocean. Either you appear as you are or be as you appear. Although, as a Christian my faith is rooted in Jesus Christ I acknowledge it is wise to appreciate the life wisdom from the faith of others. You are Always in our Prayers ...love Mom
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Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight ~ Rumi
As our bus meanders through the mountains to Pamukkale the road is flanked with oleander bushes. We exit the bus and remove our shoes to wade through the travertine hot springs. It seems appropriate as already I am sensing that this is a holy place. This is the site of the ancient city of Hierapolis, which means sacred city. We wander through the cemetery (necropolis). In the northern section alone there are over twelve hundred sarcophagus, mausoleums, and funeral mounds. The wind starts to blow, we hear the thunder roll in the distance, but still we are the last four to leave. I pray that we honour our living profoundly as they have honoured their dead. You are Always in our Prayers ... Love Mom & Dad
Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life. ~Rumi
Istanbul touches your senses: the aroma of the Spice Market, the exceptional colours in the tile of the Blue Mosque, the tug on your heart of the call to prayer that reminds you of the blessing of God. I wish I could paint as it seems film alone can not capture the bustle of the myriad of boats travelling on the Golden Horn or the silhouette of the minarets of Hagia Sophia against the sky. The Turkish delight shops are truly a delight. Unlike the soapy tasting imposter I have eaten in Canada, this candy is an absolute treat. Based on the number of samples your father is able to obtain in each shop it would probably be advantageous to weigh him before and after in order to levy a surcharge. Although I have to admit I am doing pretty well myself. We are leaving the old world elegance of the Ottoman Legacy tomorrow morning and heading for Troy. You always in our prayers....love Mom & Dad |
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Ray & Diane
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