On the Train to Merrick

On the Train to Merrick

The Israeli Woman named ‘Joy’ - Oct. 22nd, 2019

Written by Katherine Budny

Dear God, I’ve had a long day, please let no one sit next to me, I thought as I selfishly occupied the empty seat next to me with my bags.

Catching my breath from racing down to find a window seat, I finally settled in, and after a few moments, the train car began to fill with all kinds of people that I wished I were more like. Just as the doors were about to close, I heard, “Excuse me, may I sit here?” A lanky older woman stood beside me gesturing at my bags on the seat.

“Oh sure, no problem,” I sighed.

“May I put your bag up top so you have more room?” the woman asked with an honest smile.

My heart instantly softened at such a kind gesture, “Oh wow, yes please! Thank you so much.”

“My name is Gilly. Do you know what it means? It means ‘Joy’ in Hebrew. My parent’s wanted to bring more joy into the earth, so they brought me.”

She had traveled from Israel to visit her cousins for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. What started off as small talk over the books we both were reading later turned into something far more meaningful. For the next 30-minutes, we spoke about family, how she had become a recent widow, how she never gave up her dreams to be a genetics scientist, and the importance of human connection. When we spoke about her role as a scientist and how she studied the human DNA, she passionately expressed how intricately designed we were.

“One should never manipulate with what God has intended for us, and that may be why cloning is still unsuccessful today.”

Before we knew it, the train arrived at her stop. As she left, she said, “May you live a very interesting and happy life. Good luck with your adventures.”

As she walked off the train, it hit me. We are not meant to be any other person than who we are. It brings God joy when we simply are the creation He has fully intended us to be. He has not intended for us to be like anyone else.

God literally brought Joy to me that day on the train. As I looked out the window for her, the rushing crowd was starting to pass, and I saw her standing right there in front of my train car. As we waved at one another, a tear streamed from my eye in awe of our exchange. I was glad that it was Joy sitting next to me on the train.