My heart breaks today from news of what is happening in Barcelona. I woke up to my father telling me about the news. I watched BBC News for the next hour and a half. It was so sad to see the people terrified and running for their lives. I spent almost a month over there last summer helping teach English to the community and interacting with the Muslim community. The trip changed me. From the beautiful sights and sounds I couldn't find the words to express how much this trip meant to me. I learned to be free and to stop being afraid of life outside my four walls. I went there with complete strangers that I hadn't met until a few months prior, but even through the challenges of different personalities, we made it work. We were a family overseas, away from home, and it was great. My little Barcelona family had its ups and downs but we made memories there that I can never forget. .We played games on the metro, people looked at us like we were crazy. We played the tourists and we're living it up. We ate at the best restaurants and had the best views. We hung out at Sagrada Familia and I was just in awe of it all. I found a part of myself that I didn't know existed. I found my voice, I felt like I belonged. I didn't care what others thought, I was confident, I was free. I can't forget that. The way I felt there I still try to feel now. I can still tell you what metro stops to take, how to get to my favorite cafe, and I can still order my lunch in Spanish. I left my heart in Barcelona. I was devastated when I heard that Barcelona had been attack (terrorists or not) innocent lives had been lost. People who were just enjoying their time in the streets like I did. I walked down these same streets. I went to the same places, never once was I afraid of being harmed. Now seeing all of this, sitting here, in the states not being able to do anything about it. I hate feeling helpless. The first thing I did was make sure that my friends that live out there were okay. Many of them were staying in the states visiting family and friends. I'm so thankful that no one I know was hurt. How selfish though. How terrible for me to find comfort in such a tragic incident because it didn't affect me. I think that is what makes me so mad about incidents like this. We give our condolences, we say we're praying, but because it doesn't directly affect us, after a day it's all over. What is it going to take for us to wake up? To realize that we could be next. People have lost their lives, their loved ones, and there's nothing I can do about it. Im tired of just sitting here and pretending like bringing attention to it is enough, because it isn't. Im not sure what to do from here, but I am praying, my heart is heavy, and I will continue to pray, constantly. Barcelona has my heart. #PrayforBarcelona
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AuthorReggie is a college gradute with a degree in English. She loves traveling and hopes to one day stay on the battle field for missions. Life is a book and everyday is an adventure, follow her on this journey and see the world through her eyes. Archives
November 2017
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