It's so important that the world lets Palestinians know that we're with them forever and continue to stand with them. ♥️ This is just the bare minimum beginning. ❤️🩹
It's been over 24 hours since I first read about the ceasefire, and I still feel euphoric anytime the word "cease" even appears. It feels surreal in many ways, which is sad in and of itself, considering peace seems like an odd dream now. I pray to God that it won't be broken and that the people of Palestine can feel at ease for once.
Ameen ameen. I read a post (I wish i could remember whose) that said "I've never prayed so hard for something so basic" and it felt like most accurate statement possible.
I saw a video this morning of a poor boy crying over his just killed family, killed in an Israeli airstrike AFTER the ceasefire deal was reached and before it comes into effect. Poison. Poison. Poison.
The killing has only intensified. That poor boy. How will he move forward? To have gone 15 months and then lose his entire family on the last day.
I hear and feel your mix of emotions, from relief to concern and so many other feelings coming through. So much grief for all the children, women, and men who didn't live to see this day come and for those who lives have been forever changed. This never ever should have happened. Standing with the people of Palestine, standing with you.
Thank you for generously offering these thoughts and resources, even during a time when you're not feeling well. Holding Gazans and their grief in my heart today.
I can’t imagine what you are feeling. It is only going to give a whole country a little room to begin to touch the surface of grief. My heart is with you. ❤️
It's almost uncanny to me that you were in a febrile state as this happened--almost as if your body had reached the pitch of what you've been carrying. I know you will dismiss this idea because you have been safe and well while other people have been dying. But you have been carrying the weight of witnessing this with your heart wide open for all those 467 days, and I suspect, for long before that. I thank you for it and I honor your body, and I hope that it rests. May peace prevail on earth.
Amen amen amen. I know what you're saying. The thing I was thinking as my body started to respond with symptoms to the flu, was how much pain and confusion I was in despite the comforts. A soft bed. 3 blankets. And then no blankets because it was too hot, and then 3 again and a heating pad and scarf and hat because I was shivering again. And Advil and unlimited ginger and honey and yet I could not rest. That first night my fitness app told me I'd slept for 14 hours and yet my sleep score was maybe 45 because I just kept waking to cough and breathe. I couldn't stop wondering what a feverish woman in Gaza must feel like in a tent.
I won't deny that I have felt beyond exhausted for months and months (as I think I told you in our last convo). It's psychosomatic. It's hard not to feel the effects of witnessing. And yet, I feel it is beyond necessary.
I don't know how to trust this, Noha. I'm afraid to believe it's real. I want to celebrate. I want to exhale. But I'm so afraid it's some kind of horrible trap.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself all along and still.
It's so important that the world lets Palestinians know that we're with them forever and continue to stand with them. ♥️ This is just the bare minimum beginning. ❤️🩹
100% ... Thank you, Jessica.
It's been over 24 hours since I first read about the ceasefire, and I still feel euphoric anytime the word "cease" even appears. It feels surreal in many ways, which is sad in and of itself, considering peace seems like an odd dream now. I pray to God that it won't be broken and that the people of Palestine can feel at ease for once.
Ameen ameen. I read a post (I wish i could remember whose) that said "I've never prayed so hard for something so basic" and it felt like most accurate statement possible.
This time is poison. I think of Wilfred Owen, killed just before Armistice.
What passing bells for those who die?
I saw a video this morning of a poor boy crying over his just killed family, killed in an Israeli airstrike AFTER the ceasefire deal was reached and before it comes into effect. Poison. Poison. Poison.
The killing has only intensified. That poor boy. How will he move forward? To have gone 15 months and then lose his entire family on the last day.
It’s a sickness.
Beautiful reflection. This is just the beginning of rebuilding Palestine.
Thank you. Absolutely just the beginning. It can't be the end.
Your words ring true. There is grief that can only be felt as something ends, when there is space to see what has truly happened.
I think they've just been in emergency mode for so long. There's no way to process anything when you're in the middle of it.
Dearest Noha,
I hear and feel your mix of emotions, from relief to concern and so many other feelings coming through. So much grief for all the children, women, and men who didn't live to see this day come and for those who lives have been forever changed. This never ever should have happened. Standing with the people of Palestine, standing with you.
Thank you, Dearest Maia. Your solidarity means the world. It should never have happened.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Noha. Hope that you're feeling much better soon!
Thanks Leon. Starting to improve and just holding my breath for them.
I share your worries Noha... I pray for a free Palestine.
❤️❤️❤️❤️ so much love to you and yours
Back at you. Let’s collectively pray for peace and no more killing.
Amen
Thank you for generously offering these thoughts and resources, even during a time when you're not feeling well. Holding Gazans and their grief in my heart today.
I can’t imagine what you are feeling. It is only going to give a whole country a little room to begin to touch the surface of grief. My heart is with you. ❤️
Thank you, Natasha. Touching the surface of grief - yes I think that must be what it is.
Sighing and holding my breath at the same time.
Me too.
It's almost uncanny to me that you were in a febrile state as this happened--almost as if your body had reached the pitch of what you've been carrying. I know you will dismiss this idea because you have been safe and well while other people have been dying. But you have been carrying the weight of witnessing this with your heart wide open for all those 467 days, and I suspect, for long before that. I thank you for it and I honor your body, and I hope that it rests. May peace prevail on earth.
Amen amen amen. I know what you're saying. The thing I was thinking as my body started to respond with symptoms to the flu, was how much pain and confusion I was in despite the comforts. A soft bed. 3 blankets. And then no blankets because it was too hot, and then 3 again and a heating pad and scarf and hat because I was shivering again. And Advil and unlimited ginger and honey and yet I could not rest. That first night my fitness app told me I'd slept for 14 hours and yet my sleep score was maybe 45 because I just kept waking to cough and breathe. I couldn't stop wondering what a feverish woman in Gaza must feel like in a tent.
I won't deny that I have felt beyond exhausted for months and months (as I think I told you in our last convo). It's psychosomatic. It's hard not to feel the effects of witnessing. And yet, I feel it is beyond necessary.
Cautious hope as the first prisoners/hostages have been freed. May we have peace. Thank you for bearing witness.
I don't know how to trust this, Noha. I'm afraid to believe it's real. I want to celebrate. I want to exhale. But I'm so afraid it's some kind of horrible trap.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself all along and still.
Thanks Van. Still holding my breath...