Israel, part 4
As mentioned below, we went to the Dead Sea towards the end of the trip. We got there on New Year’s Eve after our Masada hike, and with the beach all to ourselves, Q and the girls joined our friends in taking a dip in the water. (It was much too cold for me, so I just watched and took photos.) The only other time we took the girls there was during the summer – and this was a much better time to visit.
The next morning Q got the idea to head back to the beach to watch the sun rise; shortly after 6:30 AM the four of us flung on our clothes and flew out our hotel room to make it across the street on time. The still water and dawn sky were gorgeous, and our time together was one of our favorite moments of the trip. It’s also one of the most memorable New Year’s I’ve had, and it had extra special meaning to me as I reflected on all that had happened months before. As I wrote on my Instagram:
We bid good bye to 2018 by standing at the Dead Sea gazing at the stars, and we greeted 2019 by watching the sun rise in the same spot. Being so far away from home – and from where everything happened last spring – felt a little strange on this holiday, but also somewhat appropriate. The beautiful and peaceful spot reminded me that the world is bigger than me and my grief – and that no matter what happens, the sun continues to rise…
-M
