2011 has been a busy year.  A long visit to Turkey and my first voyage to Armenia.  To say "I would have never dreamed of what has unfolded in my life since that first trip to Turkey in 1999" is a massive understatement.  So many blessings, so many unexpected graces. 

The photo posted here of me and the sweet "grandma" was taken in 2007 in the town of Zara in the central part of Turkey.  My two oldest daughters, Mary Beth and Ani, were with me on that particular trip.  We were in Cappadocia with a group on a pilgrimage and took a day off to see my dad's old hometown.  He only knew of one friend that might still be there and due to some amazing circumstances we found him.  His was the only Armenian family still living in Zara.  He took us to his apartment to see his mom who we soon found out is an aunt to my cousin Simon's wife, Mari. 

There's something in this country that just draws me back.  Just happening upon this sweet lady reminds me of that fact.  More and more I can see how my identity was formed here.  I truly am a child of Anatolia.