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The Children. The first thing you notice is the silence. Not that there is no noise. There is plenty of noise but it is the sound of machinery and not children.

The healthy children are quieter too. You rarely hear the screams of children demanding attention or treats. They do not "expect" like so many American children. They are happy too. Children in Israel get much love.

The People

They will give you the shirt off their back then try to rip it off you as you board the bus.

There is a dichotomy here. The security guard sits at her post reading her Bible and praying with a pistol strapped to her waist. Would she use it? Probably, but only in defense of the children. Young men and women are seen toting machine guns all over the country as casually as I would carry a purse.

I am amazed by the maturity of the young people. Is it because their childhood was shaped by the bombings of 2001-2003? Is it living in Jerusalem, a city of such contrasts?

I sometimes would sit in my yard watching the sunset over the hills of Jerusalem, ending Shabbat. I had a wonderful view. Surrounding me were the sounds of a community. Dogs barking, a baby crying, people greeting one another, the wind blowing. Contrasts exist side by side. The very secular taking out their trash on Shabbat seem to coexist peacefully with the very Orthodox hurrying to services.

Life is hard here. People work long hours. Conveniences we take for granted do not exist here. No big box stores on every corner.

I was given an opportunity to live freely and wander. I had time to ask myself what would happen if I turned left, I could do it, learn and explore. I was freed from all the things that suck away one's time. No trips to the dry cleaner, the grocery store, no banking, overdue library books or car trouble. Except for my 32 hours each week at the hospital, I had no responsibilities except to myself. It was wonderful.

What have I learned?

I have learned that there are no guarantees in life. Therefore in order to lead a self actualized life, one needs to take control. When the path before you forks, you can stay at the junction or choose a new road. Your happiness is in your control. Security is overrated and fictitious anyway.

People that I have loved for years did not let a court order stand in the way of their love for me. I am forever grateful for that and it has been a lesson for me. I have discovered that those who profess to be the most pious have chosen no contact which reconfirms my thoughts on structured religion and my definition of how one conducts oneself in the service of mankind and God.

I have learned that I am at peace by myself. I can be comfortable alone even though my preference is to seek the company of others. And I am grateful to those who have become my new friends. I have met truly remarkable people here and my life is richer for it.

I have learned that the Western Wall has power.

I have learned that, in order to really understand a culture, you must get on the bus.

I have learned that diversity is a wonderful thing.

I have learned that even the most compromised child has value in this world. They have taught me the meaning of unconditional love and what it means to have extraordinary strength in the face of adversity.

I have learned that Nescafe is really bad coffee and eating chicken legs for lunch every day for 6 months is very tiring.

As my time drew to an end I was often asked why I was returning to America. People come to Israel to live and could not imagine a better life. In many ways it is better. It is such a small country, that to live more then an hour from your family seems like a vast chasm. Yet the same pulls that exist for them exist for me. I need more then emails and grainy Skype images. I need to be able to hug the people I love and for this reason I must return. America is my home but part of my heart will always remain in Israel and with the children of Alyn. I am forever grateful for a country that was willing to embrace a battered soul and make it whole again. I have learned so many life lessons over the past several years. I have experienced the affirmation of love, support and extraordinary friendship. Would I have chosen this path? Never! But I do think I am a better person because of my experiences, a better parent (well ok, maybe I was already good at that) and a better friend. I surrendered all of my security in coming to Israel. I gave up my family, friends, home and job. I have much rebuilding to do but I look to the future expectantly and I am happy and excited.

Thank you all of my blog followers for keeping in touch and keeping me encouraged. I hope you enjoyed reading about my adventures. I love all my family and friends.