I’m in Turkey right now, as team lead for third party monitoring of some Syria work. I haven’t seen my kids in three weeks, and I miss them like burning. It’s been nearly as long since I’ve seen my husband. I’m worried about US politics – the loss of affordable care act and the presence of the Muslim ban. And while I’m not an observant Muslim, it does feel a little weird to be alone and far from home on an Islamic holiday.

I just wrote a report I’m genuinely proud of, though, and I feel like I’m doing some tiny bit of good for Syria. I’ll never get over that feeling, that my own work may help alleviate the horrors of the world at least a little.

There’s a crescent moon in the sky, just like there should be for Eid. Someone is playing traditional music in the street outside. I’m doing a good job at work that matters.

I’m in the right place at the right time, even if it’s pretty hard. This is my brave.

I hope all of you out there are in your right place, at your right time. If you’re not, I hope you find it, or at least that you start looking.