MAKING FAMILIAR
2020

In January 2020, our American base in the Middle East (NSA Bahrain) was filled with tension as families were days away from a largely unknown evacuation immediately following the assassination of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani. Having my home uprooted in the face of chaos was never a personal reality until that point. Through the surrounding strife between the US and Iran, if I were to evacuate, I would have a home country filled with people who would welcome my arrival.  At that moment, a swift shadow of guilt lay upon my head as I awoke to understand that the same asylum-seeking protection is not a birthright to so many in the world.   

I could no longer sequester myself behind the gates of our “little America”. It was not enough to be in this country – I had to participate and set forth to understand what it is to live in this part of the world. At first, the shaken chaos of our experience brought nagging moments of intense fear.  However, behind every corner of the land, I found more peace bringing commonalities through the binding encounters with humans.  And as I learned that almost half of Bahrain’s residents are expatriates, I felt belonging - I was part of a vast international community of those who are just attempting to make familiar with their new home.  

As I barely recognize the person I was before the events of January 2020, I am brought to grateful peace as the people of Bahrain have liberated me. In the eyes and stories of those I have met, I see that we are all connected through our experiences. And with the people of Bahrain, I am home.