ZIAD IN GAZA

 

 I receive a call from my friend who has lost her home, checking on me. We belong to a group of friends, all almost in our mid-30s, yet she has just turned 30. She always brings joy to the group. During our conversation, she shares some fun situations that happened to her at the school she is staying at. I tell her that I cannot imagine how she is maintaining her positive attitude.

“This experience has taught me how to appreciate the smallest of things,” she says. “Drinking clean water; having water to take a shower; eating a healthy meal that has vegetables and protein in it; sleeping for eight hours … Oh! I miss sleeping on my bed.” Then she says: “Believe me, the real challenge is when the situation ends. Going back to reality and having to make decisions about every single part of your life. Right now, we are in the middle of chaos. But then, when the silence arrives, and you start seeing everything clearly, the real catastrophe will start.”