Walls

I walked around this morning enjoying the beautiful weather. The breeze was cool and the sun was warm, this kind of winter I like. It has been brutally cold and windy this week since it snowed in the cape. There are some shops about 15 minutes away and I’ve noticed about 5 churches nearby. There is an Anglican church, Christian scientist, Coptic something church, a Presbyterian and a Lutheran church. I went to the Lutheran church since it seemed the most welcoming (and they had a sign outside announcing a contemporary service at 10:30). So as I followed the sidewalk around to the parking lot, alongside the large barred metal fence with points like spears at the top, I finally found the entrance. The parking lot was empty save for about 4 cars. One older woman with a fuzzy purple hat was chatting with another woman who was sitting in her red hatchback car. I worked up my courage and ignored the awkward feelings as I walked towards them and asked if the services were finished for the day. Her name was Dawn and the other woman was Irene. They were kind sisters who were quite welcoming and instantly invited me back next week. Apparently they only have a 9:00 service during winter break. They tried to see if any of the youth were still around for me to meet but they’d all gone by this point. It was such a relief to be treated so kindly and as if I came there all the time. They insisted I return next week and they will be looking for me. Dawn laughed and told me that this morning’s sermon was on foreigners and here I was! At any rate I was thankful and I will hopefully see them next Sunday.
I stopped at this organic coffee shop on my way back, I enjoyed a lovely double latte with a heart on top and my gluten free spinach and sun dried tomato muffin. All the while Norah Jones played in the background with the décor owing little to African flare. I forget where I live sometimes and what country for that matter.

I walked home listening to the leaves fluttering, dogs barking, and the buzz of electricity from the tops of the high walls that lined the street. I laughed as I passed a sign that read armed response with the security company’s logo on top. The sign below it said bicycle patrolled. I had a funny image of a little security guard pedaling hard with a rifle on his back towards the house as the alarm went off and wondered if this was a true threat to thieves.

Then my heart just got really sad. There are those that have soo much, myself included, while there are those who have nothing. The more you have the bigger the walls it seems. To live your life behind such huge walls, keeping everything out – is it not just perpetuating a cycle of fear under the façade of safety? To visit Soweto, and see the one room shacks with no electricity to fuel a heater in the winter and here I am wandering around safely in this extravagant neighborhood with multilevel homes and enough electricity to not only keep the whole thing warm but to fuel their high fences as well. I just feel sick.

I don't want my life to be a wall with high concrete slabs and menacing shock to anyone who comes near. May i be open and approachable to everyone i meet, no matter where they come from or what they look like.

May they be loved and feel loved.