My ancestors had come to me in a vision. Ancient men and women who came to communicate to me telepathically beyond language, but I still understood it all. They each take turns sharing their individual journey with me, the pain, the strife, the challenges of working the land to grow nutritious foods and slaying dangerous beasts to feed their family. They finally finish ask me about my life, if I've made their sacrifices and struggles worth it. "Yes," I signal in response. "What troubles you dearly, then?" They ask, sensing my existential anxiety.
"Well, I want both the Oreos and Twinkies at the Costco, but when I do the basic math to budget the costs, I can only afford to buy one or the other!" Their remorseful faces turn to that of horror. Even the most hardened of my ancestors breaks down in tears contemplating my words. That's when, from the back of the group, silently observing the scene, comes the wisest of all my ancestors. He asks, "How, my child, did our humanity fall into such dark, hopeless times?"
I wiped away a single tear and work up the courage to tell him: "The Jews." A collective knowing sigh of grief and anger wash over us all. That wisest ancestor put a hand on my shoulder, me expecting him to have words of guidance or reassurance. All that ancestor could muster up was, "May God have mercy on your soul." They all flashed away, my consciousness returned to my body. That ancestor's name? Albert Einstein.
