Trip Around The Sun

Today is my 33rd birthday. I haven’t felt inspired to write in over a year. Maybe that’s starting to change.

Today is my 33rd birthday. How many Palestinians will never live to see 33? How many parents clutched their babies in white shrouds? How many babies cried over their parents in white shrouds?

Today is my 33rd birthday. I never had a great relationship with my birthday. Not that I’m ungrateful for another year of life. To be perfectly honest, I never thought I’d make it to 30. I don’t have a great relationship with my birthday because I’ve been disappointed by people who I thought loved me on my birthday. I’ve only been worth celebrating sometimes.

Today is my 33rd birthday. I’m a Leo, a sign of courage and strength, ruled by the Sun. You know who has shown courage and strength? Oday Halawa and Amran Elmarsi. Oday messaged me on WhatsApp asking to help him and his family in Gaza. Amran messaged me on Instagram asking me to help him and his family in Gaza. Now, I help them raise money for their GoFundMes.

Today is my 33rd birthday. I don’t have any siblings. Oday calls me his sister. It took a genocide to find family.

Today is my 33rd birthday. Can you celebrate me by helping Oday and Amran?

My birthday wish is to not be disappointed. My birthday wish is to be celebrated often. My birthday wish is to see a free Palestine. My birthday wish is to have the courage and strength Oday and Amran have. My birthday wish is to tell everyone I love them, fully and often. My birthday wish is to receive love fully and often. My birthday wish is to be met with happy surprises.

Today is my 33rd birthday. Here’s to another trip around the sun.