When it was time to time to head to Jerusalem I was nervous for a few reasons. Was Daniel rested enough for what was coming We had already spent several days with a lot of walking but in betewwn had plenty of time to rest and recover. I knew he would not have is chance when he joined his friends for their rigorous schedule. I had to trust that he had saved up his energy. We headed an hour out of Jerusalem to an archeological dig to meet them. The moment we saw them I knew that this was the reason we were there. He was so glad to be with his friends again. I let him be and was fine that he never looked back at me. I saw he wasn’t happy that I was watching him but it wasn’t in a critical manner, it was only with pure happiness to see him with his group. Once again he did give me the stink eye that he didn’t need or want me there…until of course, there it was again, before long, he needed me to carry his stuff. Of course I had no problem with this. I found my role this day where I became the class photographer and was able to just stand back and not get involved. I listened and got the history lessons of the instructor but hopefully didnot interfere too much. I wanted a million times to talk to Daniel and tell him to drink and ask him if he was okay but I did not. We later went into the city of Jerusalem and to overlook the Old City. Seeing this view was magnificent as the sun was setting but seeing Daniel with his classmates was just as exciting realizing what Daniel accomplished to get there. I wondered if he was internalizing it this way but knew not to ask. From this point the kids were all rushed to the place they would be staying for the next part of the week. This is where I would be leaving Daniel to stay with the group. I did see the lobby but that was it. I had to trust he would make his best judgements. He knows to be careful about his choices because he knows what was at stake. By this time all the group was run down and tired and well into getting sick and honestly so was I. I was now taking cold medicine and thinking how long until it hit Daniel. As the kids were getting checked in that was my cue to leave and as I turned to leave I realized Daniel had left for the night…Nice! But I was not hurt. I was not hurt. I was not hurt. I kept telling myself that.
Do you see Daniel in the tan bball cap on the right second row from the back. yep he is blended in and part of his class where he should be.