A scar is a symbol of a battle fought and won
It’s a reminder of one’s strength
And the ability to stand the trials of life
It may not be beautiful at first sight
A sign of imperfection one may think
But life is full of tests and trials
And imperfection is part of life
A perfect body has no story to tell
A perfect body has not faced challenges
As time goes on we each accumulate our scars
Better that they be physical scars and not emotional ones
August 30th, 2022
We are the best advocates for ourselves
At the end of the day we are responsible
To take care of our physical and mental health
This taking care takes different shapes for different people
Some like to pamper themselves with a massage
Some like to shop
Some like to go for a walk in nature
Some like to hang out with a friend
Whatever that self care looks like for you
Please put it on our to-do list
And not at the bottom of the list
Where it goes most of the time
Take that needed activity and move it to the top of the list
You will be glad you did
I still have to remind myself to not make excuses
For foregoing my care routine
I can get swept up in other people’s needs
I can say I’ll do one day without it
But each time I take the time to care for myself
I feel happy I did
Self care is essential not optional
Others will also benefit from a happier you
August 29th, 2022
Things are going back to normal
The new normal
I have four scars of various sizes
I still get tired easily
But I can shower like I used to
I can do the things I want to do
Surgery is definitely a shock to the system
It’s not like another day at the doctor’s office
It takes time to recuperate
And my body will not look the same
But that is a minor detail
Because what makes me me is not my body
What makes me me doesn’t bear the new scars
I feel good
I feel optimistic
And I’m grateful for all the love and attention
I get from my friends and family
I welcome the new normal
I’m thrilled about the advances in medicine
I’m lucky to live where I do
And have the friends that I have
August 28th, 2022
Pain, pain, pain
Pain that does not go away
Tylenol and Oxycodone are not enough
Though they do take off the edge
The best remedy is distraction
With a movie
Or chatting with a friend
Physical pain is better than the emotional one though
That pain has no immediate remedy
Distraction works sometimes
But I prefer physical pain
My spirit is still strong
My attitude positive
These days will pass
And what will remain is a faint memory of pain
August 13th, 2022
3 days after surgery
His last time on WhatsApp was
2022-07-30, 4:15 pm Montreal time
21 days have gone by and his fate is not clear yet
His family knows little of what’s going on
His friends worry for him daily
How will the authorities collect
Evidence of espionage when there is none?
Another arrest!
Was ten years in prison not enough?
And for crimes he did not commit?
For loving humanity?
For serving his community?
I talked to him the day before he was arrested
He was well
He was thankful
He was jovial as usual
We pray for him
For fortitude and strength
Qualities he has in abundance already
I know he welcomes this sacrifice
As he did the previous ones
I know he is grateful to stand up
For what he believes in
I know he is victorious
Whether in captivity or freedom
August 20th, 2022
For my dear friend, Afif Naimi
Cancer survivor is a heavy title to bear
Cancer can be dangerous
Surviving it is good however
But I think there is still a stigma that goes along with cancer
If not, we would talk about it more than we do
It’s kept hush hush most of the time
You hear years later that someone had cancer
And you never found out
Of course, it’s not something to advertise
But talking about it reduces the stigma
And increases awareness for others as well
So, I’m a cancer survivor
Healed and happy to live life as before
But perhaps it won’t be exactly as before
The scars will fade but won’t go away
And the checkups will continue regularly
But that’s a good thing
Like anything else in life
Our experiences can be bearers of gifts
Depending on how we view them
And I’m grateful to be on the path of healing
With the support of my friends and family
August 19th, 2021
As I read the messages of love from my friends
My eyes tear up
So much kindness and care is evident in them
Messages from my classmates around the world
Messages from my friends in Montreal
Messages and calls from my family
Nothing can go wrong with so much love
I believe in the power of prayer and positive thoughts
I believe in their role in healing
If anything, this experience has shown me how much I’m loved
If anything, I can see more clearly the goodness
In everyone’s heart
August 9th, 2022
The day before my operation for breast cancer
Should I be worried?
Somehow I’m not
With the support of my family and friends
I feel strong
I trust my surgeons to do a good job
And I know I will be spoiled with kindness afterward
Challenges are blessings sometimes
I now know better how many people care for me
There are many people I can lean on
Thankful for every one’s love
I know all will be well
All will be fine
August 7th 2022
A few days before breast surgery
What keeps you going in the face of injustice?
My spirituality he said
I believe in karma
That we reap what we sow
That there will be justice in the end
What keeps you going, he asked
Hope that the future will be brighter
That what we do to better the world matters
What keeps you going, he asked
Love for my fellow man
Belief in goodness and truthfulness
That living a virtuous life is important
No matter what life throws at you
What keeps you going, he asked
Faith in a higher power, he said
August 4th 2022
Dedicated to my dear friend Afif Naimi who was recently arrested in Iran because he is a Baha’i
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