Today, two worlds close to my heart converged and collided, The refugee soccer team from Albany – the Albany Warriors – came to White Creek, N.Y., to give Ed good wishes and some hugs. They came to the farm last summer, and the Gulleys gave them the full tour of Bejosh Farm, a full-blooded dairy farm.

When the kids read on my blog that Ed was sick, they asked me right away if they could visit him. They remembered his hospitality (lots of ice cream), the cows and calves, his dogs and old sheep. So they drove down today and spent the afternoon at Bejosh Farm.

it was a very generous thought, especially for kids who have seen plenty of trouble and suffering in their loves, but are able to rise above themselves. They grasp the power of empathy. They are not like anyone in White Creek, but they surely belonged. They did not come her to take our jobs or harm us. There is nothing about these children for any person with a heart to hate.

They reached out across two wildly divergent cultures to show their humanity. We are, in fact, all one.

First, we took them to lunch at the Round House Cafe, then to the Battenkill bookstore where they each picked out a book for themselves or a brother and sister.

Then we drove over to Bejosh Farm.

It was all very much in the spirit of Ed – he showed them a newborn calf, just a few hours old,  talked about farming, talked with Ali about God and miracles, and  shouted over the loud generator that was powering the milk house – his power was knocked out by the same storm that got us.

The kids loved the dogs, they clearly felt a close kinship with Ed and Carol and the farmer, you could almost touch the feeling that passed between them. Ed is like that. So are they.

These are people I love for their generosity, courage and determination to lead meaningful lives. These children proved themselves once again to have great hearts and powerful spirits. They want to come  back and see Ed soon, and he said that would be just fine with him.

I have lots more to say about these wonderful children and also about their wonderful host, I just wanted to put this photo up. See you shortly.