Plot Twist

I was going to call this page “I Am Not a Refugee.” Because I’m not a refugee. It’s something I was reminding myself of often, because it kind of felt like I was. But rather than saying what I wasn’t/what I’m not, I decided to name this page about what I am. So I was going to call it “World Traveler.” But that didn’t seem right either, even though I was embarking on travel.

At the time of creating this page, I’ve just arrived in the US. The travel part is over — at least for now. So I decided to call this page “Plot Twist.” Because it was certainly unexpected.

What follows are some of my thoughts and notes since the attack on Israel on October 7th (2023). They might be somewhat in order. They might be somewhat incoherent. The parts that are a mess reflect my state of mind over the last few weeks. The parts that are clearer reflect some of the calm I’ve been able to experience more recently.

It’s vulnerable to put this out into the world when I know there are people who have never heard of me, yet want me dead. I’m sharing this as a glimpse into one person’s actual experience (mine). I’m not speaking for anyone else. And if you have something to say here in response, I hope you’ll choose words and tones that are appropriate for someone who has been through/is going through a great deal of shock, loss, sadness, fear, and uncertainty.