I'm much older than I look.
Actually MUCH older!
My husband was Abraham. My name is Sarah.
We loved and cared about each other.
That's why it was so sad when after so many years we didn't have a child together.
We weren't begetting!
I guess like so many women over the centuries, I was no different.
I wanted to please my husband. To have him be happy.
Because then surely I would be happy. Wouldn't I?
So, one, day, I said to Abraham why don't you take a little nap with Hagar?
Who knows maybe then you will have a child!!!
Now, What do YOU think said???? He agreed of course! No surprise there!!!
And so Hagar, our handmaiden went to bed with Abraham.
By the way, what is with this being called a handmaiden.
But that's another story for another time.
As we all know Hagar became pregnant and she gave birth to Ishmael.
And after a time, although, I was pretty old for frolicking around
I gave birth to Isaac.
Isaac grew and Ishmael grew. Isaac became the leader of the Jewish people,
Ishmael became the leader of the Arab people.
And as they grew from youth to manhood,
So did their resentments and anger. So did their distrust and tempers.
Hagar and I could have stopped this.
We SHOULD have stopped this.
The truth is, I was not very nice to Hagar back then.
She wasn't so nice to me either. I wish we had talked to each other
I wish we could somehow change it all.
Jealousy and fear had grown out of resentments. They always do!
Hatred had grown out of anger. It usually does!
I believe if we had spoken to each other,
If we were willing to understand each other a little,
Maybe ALL things could have been different.
Perhaps there would be a world where there is a greater sense of humanity?
We could have taught our sons to be more tolerant.
We should have taught them there was plenty for each of them,
And for generations to come.
What if we had shown them they could be friends? Not enemies.
For surely Haggar and I acted as enemies.
What if we had reminded them, You have the same father.
Part of his soul belongs to each of you,
He is a part of you and you are a part of him.
What if we had been able to teach them to trust each other?
What if we had been better at showing them how to love,
More than we showed them how not to?
What if they had shared ALL that with their sons and daughters,
And their daughters and sons children, and grandchildren, Until today?
Possibly, just possibly…No hatred. No revenge. No mistrust.
No fear. No anger.
What if? What if!!!