Another Large Shelter

The end of something means the beginning of something else. Or shall I say the beginning of something comes after the end of something else. Anyway, the same meaning is there.

This first comment has nothing to do with this article’s content. It’s just an idea that haunted me for a second. Maybe in the future it will have a meaning. I might be seeing it now. Still unclear. Still unsure. It might come. If it does? Then this comment will have a meaning. If it doesn’t? It will be one of those many comments you read, think about for a second and then forget for more than few seconds.

Recently, I was lucky enough to visit a shelter. The Mother Theresa shelter for children and elderly people in Lebanon. And what a great experience that was. Touching but definitely worth it. I actually made some friends. Two kids: Ralph and Zouzou.

I met Ralph inside when I was playing with a bunch of kids all excited about the many gifts they had just received. He was holding all his gifts with his two hands. And believe me. He surely needed more than two hands. This is why I kept giving him the ones that were falling. But it was nice to see his joy.

Zouzou called me from a distance. I was leaving the shelter when I heard a gentle voice from behind. I turned and there was a beautiful kid calling me from the other far end: “Hey you!” I turned and walked toward him. Zouzou took me by the hand and pointed at two seats. We sat there and started talking. He was telling me that now there were two Dany’s in the shelter. Me and another Dany (another kid). All that kid wanted was attention. He wanted to chat with someone. He wanted to be treated as a friend. And I hope I did well. Then,

“Dany!”

My friends were calling me. I took Zouzou by the hand and walked toward the exit door where the others were waiting. I asked them if they knew Zouzou. Obviously no one knew him but were more than happy to meet him. After I introduced him to everyone, Zouzou was so excited that he started jumping at me. He was hugging me. I held him and raised him so high above everybody else. Maybe for the first time in his life, Zouzou was so high above others. I’m sure he loved the feeling seeing how much he laughed.

Finally I promised Zouzou that I would be visiting him from time to time and we said goodbye.

This story might sound too normal for most of you, but it was too surreal for me. Especially around Christmas when so many people are unhappy in this world. It gave me the opportunity to appreciate what I have. It made me realize that I too have issues. My life rotates around issues. All I do is solve my issues and move on. And right after I start moving on, another issue pops out. That’s my life story. I wish I could reach a stage where I could say to myself: “I have no issues and it’s time to build”.

I just can’t build on sand. And yes. I don’t see myself stronger than sand. I’m still the person who thinks too much and who analyzes things when those same things only deserve to be thrown away without even looking back at them.

That’s just me!

Living in a large shelter.

Happy New Year to all my OtherEnders!