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Flowers Passing Through Israel: A Valentine’s Day Story

By Pat Racimora on February 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM in Gaza, Israel

web3valentines-day_edited

I was looking for a little sign of love, peace, and maybe the beginnings of a better future for some troubled spot on the planet. It’s rather like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Then I stumbled upon this small story in the New York Times. Maybe it means little and maybe it is the beginning of something moving forward—again.

Israel opened the Gaza border in time for 25,000 carnations to be shipped to European markets for Valentine’s Day. This is the first time in a year that exports have been allowed to pass through Israel (the only way out).

flowers-from-gaza

Author Isabel Kershmer notes that “the flowers…are hardly a token of affection between Israel and the Islamic rulers of the Palestinian enclave, but they could portend a possible thaw in commercial relations in the context of a cease-fire.”

I’ll take that as a good thing for this day.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.

  • AlexisM

    Happy Valentine’s Day Pat.

    Thanks for making me feel a little better. The Bacon Bill passed and America has now become the United Socialist Republic of Pelosi-Obama and will go quietly into the night as a weak, powerless, piece of nothing.

    But, hey, there’s some good in the world, right? Thanks for pointing it out.

  • Solara 7

    A small new beginning. Now if both sides can only remain calm enough to let reason and maybe a little caring sink in.

  • Rich

    Nice picture and Valentine’s story. Something is better then nothing. Both countries would be so much better of, if they could find their loving God, rather then the God of the Old Testament, which was a punishing God. They do have so much in common in so many ways, and yet as usual it is hate that tears them apart and destroys both people and their economy. It is easier to hate then to love and forgive. But like all things valuable, learning how to love, forgive, trust, and accept being loved is worth it and the pay off is tremendous. Not for the war mongers, who like to frighten and separate as a way of keeping power, for they will be rejected and overthrown. This is true for all fear mongers that over time, they all disappear and Gods love of Gods children wins out.

    With the help of the people and their willingness to wake up and take action, God’s will, will be done on earth as it is in haven.

    Rich

  • Peggy Sue

    Nice piece, Pat. Hey, we have to emphasize the good where ever we find it. Yes, this is small. But small things can grow into something else. Your lips to God’s ear.

    Thanks!

  • Seattle Moss

    Hello Pat,
    Just a word of thanks for all the work you do for NQ.
    I enjoy your art and appreciate you bringing a little love to the blog.

  • Pat B

    Pat,
    Thank you for a lovely story!! It is nice to hear about something good.

  • JohnnyB

    Thanks Pat for another great cartoon.
    Peace, is it so hard to obtain?
    Let’s all try harder.

    Love to all other inhabitants of our planet, today on Valentine’s Day and each day thereafter.

  • Cindy

    Your art is so gorgeous. What talent!

  • http://firefox AnnieCollier

    Love the art, Pat. Nice idea.

  • Strawberry

    Pat. What was that line from Willy Wonka…So shines a good deed in a weary world. Thank you.

  • TeakwoodKite

    Happy V Pat…

    There is an interesting history when it comes to the flower growing industry in the territories.

    • Strawberry

      OK….let me just get comfortable…okay…shoot. I love a well told story.

      • TeakwoodKite

        You might be sittin awhile Strawberry, may I offer you some beverage? But since I opened my trap about it, I will write something on it now. :)

        Considering the two export commodities (besides turmoil) are citrus and flowers and many of the green houses where looted and stripped bare a few years back I am really appreciative of Pat giving this symbolic story it’s due.

        • Strawberry

          Jesus, Teak. Their exports…and their trading partners. Those people are being slowly starved to death. Happy friggin’ V Day. Where can I buy some of those carnations?

  • bayareavoter

    a nice little story like this is just what I needed! thanks

  • Don X

    A nice cartoon, a nice thought and expression of hope. Perhaps the ability to send the roses is a small mustard seed that can grow into something positive. Rich, I agree with the sentiments and observations you expressed so nicely. Sometimes it seems much of the world is consumed by hate and vengeance, and often in the name of some religious deity. As you note, it seems easier to hate than to love.

  • Idiocracy08

    Most of the time, we are moved by the little things.

  • Linda Anselmi

    Hey Pat -

    What a beautiful and uplifting Valentine note to give all of us.

    Thanks you.

  • I’m a Linda too

    Happy Valentines Day
    Peace.

  • candymarl

    Thank you so much. The everyday people want peace. The powers that be don’t. Beautiful.

  • Sassy

    Beautiful drawing Pat!
    Hallmark could not do better!
    Have a nice day!

  • Linda Mac

    Thank you for this hopeful valentine. I hope it brings others the same good feeling it brought to me. Your pictures and diaries are always thougtful and right on target for me.

  • Pat Racimora

    Thanks for the nice comments. Much appreciated.

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    And at the end don’t forget to say thanks amigo