His Cherry Blossom

  We sat laughing and talking over cups of saffron and cardamom infused coffee. Our local friend stated, “If my husband knew about my decision…” and she drew her finger across her neck. Though she smiled as if it was an exaggeration, we all knew that the possibility was all too real.   This woman so full of joy and eager to learn the Truth could lose absolutely everything including her life for the sake of this one choice.   I listened to another local friend explaining that her father, also a believer, had been deported and though he was currently safe, she didn’t know when or if they would ever be able to see him again. In a male-dominated society, she and her sisters and mom were on their own in the world’s eyes. Yet, the Truth they carried in their hearts radiated from their lives and this is what set them apart.  Her fiancé spoke in a dialect I was not familiar with, however, I was eager to ask questions because she had told me a little about his story. Keeping his phrases simp