Between October and October

I wrote this today, on my birthday, as I reflected on the past year. I originally wrote it in Arabic but have translated it here to share.  

Between October and October

I left a home I thought I would never leave except for the grave.
I long for a sea I never loved, yet it never left my sight.
I lived displaced and learned the value of small blessings, including a drop of water.
I love Gaza more than I ever imagined.
I migrated once and will migrate again.
I moved from house to house in a new land.
I met beautiful faces and others ugly, those I didn’t know in myself and others.
I lost people and friends.
I swallowed patience only to discover that I am better off than many.
I learned patience, detachment, and not to worry about tomorrow.
I realized that God’s grace is far greater than we can imagine.
I learned that family is your first line of defence, and sisters are the greatest blessing.
True joy is in letting go of trivial things.
No matter what happens, do not be afraid to be strong, even in your patience.
God will provide for you, so do not worry.
Give your best, and let God open closed doors for you.
Literally, be human, and God will take care of you.
Do good and throw it into the sea, for you never know how God will repay your kindness.
In your daily routine, make room for acts of kindness, for those who comforted me didn’t even know what they were doing for me without realizing it.
Be the one to help yourself, and angels in the form of humans will come to help you later from where you least expect it.
Don’t keep knocking on closed doors.

A difficult year and a beautiful one.

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