Life Through Her Eyes: 8

                                                   To Be 

While being accepting of death 

While believing in gods and wisdom 

While keeping a positive attitude 

While working hard to be your best self 

The sound of a crying child breaks you 

The face of a morning father stabs you 

The faith of a young man whose bride was killed belittles you 

You are put in your place by the strength of a greater species of humans 

You are humbled by their faith 

You are grateful for their power 

You are inspired by their will to live 

Suddenly, 

your problems become smaller 

Your pain becomes shameful 

Your fear becomes meaningless 

You learn to grow in gratitude 

You learn to come out of your individualism 

And you learn how to be part of a herd 

You realize to be strong is to be united 

To be resilient is to be faithful 

And to be greater species of human is to be from Gaza

About the Author

Rand is a 26-year-old Palestinian. She is the youngest of four children; she finished her undergraduate studies at Bir Zeit University, Ramallah, Palestine. During her university years, Rand grew more interested in the humanitarian structure and the Palestinian cause from a humanitarian point of view. Through volunteering and networking, rand received many pieces of training in crisis management, and emergency navigation, as well as, humanitarian structure, signature, and localization allowing her to employ her knowledge in her career and as a volunteer with many local and international humanitarian organizations. Moreover, rand is a very expressive artistic person who attempts to share her human experience through pen and brush. She is captivated by sunsets and Palestinian beauty.