It wasn't the end
It Wasn't the End
The first time I saw death I was in the basement with 70 people
Frightened and praying, hoping they don’t lose their lovers
By the Devils’ eye on the top of each building
it was 2011
I was 8 years old
A kid wrapping myself with a heavy blanket
hoping it would protect me from the Mortar bombs
that faded the building next to ours
A resounding scream cut the babies’ cry
it was my grandma
I saw her tears like torrential rain
watched her grief
Which felt like a rock on my child heart
I asked my aunt what happened
she told me your uncle flew up to the sky
even when I thought he will be happier there
I couldn’t handle it
I scanned the room but everyone was in the same black hole
even my mom who I needed the most
I noticed my grandpa he was different than them
he had an imprisoned tear
his eyes were full of pride for his brave martyr son
I ran to my father
To save me from grief
He hugged me to calm me down
his gleaming eyes
his words...
life is unexpected
the world is wide
someone dies and someone lives
but hope never leaves us
Think
why would God create grief if
there was no hope
his words, welcomed
was a cure to my miserable heart
the guide to my lost mind
I stood up
It wasn’t the end
the first time I saw death
I didn’t give up
-Sedra Olabi
I learned about Sedra through Raghad Bushnaq, a Syrian woman who founded and runs a nonprofit organization called Mozaic in the DC area, that supports Sedra's family and 200 other refugee families from Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan and elsewhere. It is completely run by volunteers, and Raghad is tireless. I call her an angel, but of course she shies away from that term; I'll share Raghad's reflection tomorrow. I encourage you to please support Mozaic with even a small donation, and rest assured that every bit will go to supporting families like Sedra's (Website or PayPal/Venmo: mozaic501c@gmail.com).
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