Good Day, God!
I have friends who are outstanding travelers. They do their homework and make sure they see all the important sights. I admire them.
But, alas, I am not one of them. I, too, enjoy traveling. I really do. But, perhaps, not for typical reasons. I value travel as much for a chance to sleep and rest and recover as to see everything. And, small interchanges with local people are more memorable and treasured than seeing the most impressive artifacts — even the Ishtar Gates.
So I was surprised when I just HAD to see Nefertiti. I was also surprised and delighted at how willing my wonderful husband, Kit, was to make sure I got to see her.
We even took taxis to and from Museum Island.
When we finally found her on the second floor, I felt like I was meeting a real living person. “Oh”, I thought, “You’re older than I had imagined!” She was clearly older, more mature, and more weighed down by her responsibilities. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, indeed!
On learning that Nefertiti was uncovered in 1912, I realized that her fame might partially rest on her resemblance to the popular Gibson Girl of that era. Long slender neck, wide set eyes, lovely mouth, and a crown in place of all that upswept hair.
Fitting an era’s stylized image of beauty does give one a hand up on fame. But fame and beauty fade without a certain sense of presence. And Queen Nefertiti has presence. I’m thankful to have met her.
And, God, I’m also thankful for realizing that once I am home again, I must see about resting more fully — and resting more fully in You.
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