Visits by family...

When I visited Lebanon in 2004, my traveling companions and I spent a day visiting relatives in the mountain village of Bane. I use the term “relatives” cautiously because the people I met in Bane I’d never seen before and realistically will never see again. Yet we shared a bloodline however diluted, and so, strangely, we seemed to belong to each other.

I recall stepping out of the car and having an old woman embrace me, kiss me, then walk me to her home, all the while clutching my arm and rattling in a language that was at once foreign and familiar. As we walked, her non-verbal communication opened an understanding of my role in her life. She held me tightly; I belonged to her.

This open hospitality, this welcoming embrace, is of course deserved by all visitors to all places.

Tomorrow, I’m fortunate to welcome back to Four Cedars my Hungarian travelers. I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself. There will be food and libation, and no doubt chores for them too. But mostly, there will be hugs and kisses and rattling of words as we walk arm and arm into the “family” home. At Four Cedars, all visitors are family.