today my thoughts turned a number of times to friends in East Timor. ten years ago they voted to free themselves from the unlawful rule of another power. 
this is a photograph of me (very pregnant with Audrey in 2007) with two of my oldest Timorese friends - i have known them since 2001. and this pair in particular are the reason i finally joined facebook. i kept getting requests from them over the years... so in order to be able to see the photographs of them with their gorgeous families i succumbed... but that is another story.
i would say that while i have numerous acquaintances, i have about 6 close Timorese friends. i think of them today and particularly what they faced this day ten years ago. i think of the one who bears scars that i dare not ask about, who stood next to his best friend, as he was killed in front of him. i think of the one who risked life, escorting journalists into the mountains to meet with Falintil leaders during the occupation. i think of the woman, who during the 2006 crisis lived in an idp camp with her family, fearful of returning home at night. but still she arrived at work each morning, groomed and dressed like every other day. i also think of a dear friend with the UN who in the aftermath of the popular consultation was housed in the Australian Embassy in Dili, while buildings burnt to the ground and terrifiedTimorese fled to the hills. and i am amazed and grateful at all these i know who hold no animosity but much forgiveness and rejoice today in their own land.
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