A tale of three people

‘Vanity, vanity, all is vanity, a chasing after the wind,’ wrote the philosopher. We can read his observations and interpretations in the book of Ecclesiastes. He concluded that life is meaningless and the best that we can do is enjoy each day as it comes and honour God, our Judge, throughout the days allotted to us.

I am no philosopher, but as I travel, I am observing lives quite different to my own. I see people making the best of life, striving for meaning in the midst of it. Without God, yes, all is meaningless … but life can still be quite rich along the way. 

The following descriptions are of people I have met recently. No identifying details have been shared.  Apart from the respect I have for their privacy, they also live in a part of the world where breaches of privacy are potentially more serious than in my own country.

The Nun

We caught the same bus up into the mountains. She sat tall, self-confident and very much alone. Her hair was shaved, her head shaped like those of people in the north where I lived for a time, a place where people used to put weights either side of their newborns’ heads so that the babies’ heads developed flat backs and rounded tops. What hopes did her parents cherish for their baby girl back then?

Now she wears the robes of a Tibetan nun, though she is not Tibetan. Her speech suggests that she is well educated and from the north. Her maroon robes, yellow undershirt and the cloth bag which tucks under her arm appear not even slightly faded or wrinkled. She snaps photos all the way up on her IPhone, like a tourist. Unlike an outsider, she pays for snacks at the rest stop with her phone too, rather than cash. 

What factors led her to take on a faith that is not part of her ethnic background? What caused her, presumably, to forsake wealth and career for a future with a people not her own?

The Driver

He sat on the side of the road, calling for passengers. I was the first, and, as it turned out, his only passenger. After waiting a while, being an impatient and extravagant tourist, I just paid for all four seats in his car so that my journey could get underway.

We soon established that I was just a few months older than him. “How many children do you have? What – none – why?! What – you’ve never married – why?! You must have a baby and very soon – your time is running out – I will find you a husband. No, it’s not impossible, but you might need a little medical help. What about it?!”

So far, our conversation wasn’t too different from that of many other drivers I have used. But his own story was unique – at least compared to parts of the world where I have lived.

‘The Driver’ shares a wife with his younger brother. That’s not uncommon in this area, There are three adults in his family and two children. The boy has been given to a monastery – he will never marry nor have children. The daughter was about to take an entrance exam to get into Teachers’ College. My offer to pray for God’s blessing on her exam was well received.

Then his home rings. Talking on a phone while driving is not a problem here. But the content of the phone call poses a big problem. His forehead crinkles, his eyebrows draw together. “I don’t know where he could be but I will try to find out,” he says. Many more phone calls follow in a language I don’t follow. 

It turns out that ‘The Driver’ has an important role in his community. It is a role that brings some honour but also significant trouble to him. His people are required to register with the authorities every year. One of those under his watch has gone missing. 

‘The Driver’ has a good life most of the time. He enjoys driving through the scenic countryside he calls ‘home’ and especially enjoys being a tour guide to visitors who book him for days at a time. He is proud of the children he shares with his brother and his wife. He is making a difference in his local community. What more could a man ask for?

The Bride

She left her parents and became one with her husband 15 years ago. But earlier that same year, a family member from her husband’s side had died and so it was not appropriate for the young couple to celebrate the marriage.

The years passed. They had a child and established a business. Now life is stable and there have been no deaths in either family for some time. It is time to throw a big wedding party. But what should she wear on her special day?

‘The Bride’ and her groom have already had the official wedding photos taken, though the three day ceremony will not take place until later in the autumn. She has posed for photographs in a cream and brown wool cape, typical of her her home area. She has also had photographs taken in the colourful outfit of a neighbouring area – their clothes are prettier. Which should she wear for the actual wedding, she wonders?

‘The Bride’ has a good life. I catch her gazing adoringly at her handsome husband and he is clearly besotted with her, even after all these years. Their son is intelligent, witty and doing well at school. Their business is thriving. And now they are about to celebrate their marriage, surrounded by their family and friends.

A question for the philosopher

What would the philosopher make of these stories? Surely life isn’t too different in this part of the world in this age than it was in ancient Israel. 

‘Vanity, vanity, all is vanity, a chasing after the wind,’ he may conclude. ‘Life is meaningless and the best that we can do is enjoy each day as it comes and honour God, our Judge, throughout,’ he may add. 

But the people described above – ‘The Nun’, ‘The Driver’ and ‘The Bride’ – are not in ancient Israel. Indeed, if they could hear the words of the philosopher, they may well respond with this question:

“God … who is God?”