So let's talk family first. All is well. Theo is doing great! He's learning to read and write and it's huge fun! Tomorrow I will insert a few pics of some of his latest projects and writing. Especially the way he writes Mum! It's awfully cute! And he always puts little hearts beside the word Mum! He is a very sweet little guy! And stubborn as hell, but he comes by it honestly and I take most of the credit/responsibility for that one! His teenage years should be interesting and challenging. But we'll get there when we get there.
Life is good. Life is insanely busy. Between working full time, Theo being in gynastics, soccer & swim class, and my online and in person activism, as well as both Jamie's and my work travel, there is barely a second left to do nothing. Thank God I have an Iphone. Otherwise my friends would never find me and would likely stop talking to me! Did I mention how grateful I am for my lovely friends? :)
So now on to politics. In December/January I decided to put my name in to go on the Canadian boat to Gaza. Well, I made the short list. I am very excited. Scared too. But more determined to do what is right than anything else! This is the me that a lot of people know. Not a lot of people know the me that's the mom. The person that at one point would have killed to be a stay at home mom. Well...times and situations change and my life is going full tilt into a direction I never thought it would go! Who would have thought that at some point I would identify as an Arab instead of as a German?! Not me! But it is what it is and I am who I am. And that's that!
Passover dinner was interesting this year. I certainly took over the agenda at one point in talking about Gaza, the death of Vittorio Arrigoni, the situation of the Palestinian people...this year's Passover dinner was mine. The theme was mine! Jamie's family is pro-Palestine, but the flavour of this year's dinner was courtesy of me. I just could not contain myself this time! I am who I am in this greater fabric that is this chaotic, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-faith family.
What else. I've been reading the Quran. I'll provide an update on that as I arrive at conclusions. Read an interesting book on the science behind it all. Am convinced to a certain degree, but now must do some studying and research. I question all and read everything. It is one of my strengths and flaws. It is who I am.
More about Vittorio Arrigoni, although this is the blog for Theo, I'm once again writing this down, so Theo will understand why what happened while he was young. Why I am going to leave for a few weeks to hopefully make it to Gaza via the Freedom flotilla.
Vittorio Arrigoni was a very wonderful human being, with a deep respect for human rights for all humans. He was an ISM volunteer and a pro-Palestine activist. His motto 'Stay Human' will forever reverberate in this universe. In this world! And he was killed. Last week. And the world wept. And is still weeping. Even I, who did not know this man, was beside myself at the news. I spent hours online with a friend who knew him trying to help. I don't know if I did. I tried. All I could do was to listen. And send emoticons that might cheer him up! Used to hate those little bugger icons, but they do serve their purpose. Especially when words fail or one cannot use words at some points. Anyway, it is my belief that Vittorio was killed to warn off those of us that will soon be joining the flotilla to Gaza! To scare us off! This horrified me! This enormous sacrifice of one of the best humans out there! It also made me even more determined than I was already. Before I was weighing the options and trying to figure out the risks. Now I'm just going! Here is what I wrote the day it all hit the activist community. When we found out Vittorio was dead.
So I have something to say.
If Vittorio Arrigoni's death was supposed
to warn us activists off from coming to Gaza
...by boat or otherwise...this has failed!
I WILL go to Gaza by boat.
Failing that, by car. And faling that I will
crawl to Gaza!
The pro-Palestine movement will NOT give in!
RIP Vittorio!
So Theo, this is why your mom did and does what she does! Because sometimes one just has to do what is right! Even at huge risk! But for you that counts only once you're grown up! Ok?! But I fully expect you to do similar things. As part of this family, how could you be and do any less! It is our tradition. From all of your heritages. Iraqi, German, American and Jewish! Love you little man!
Hmmmm....this wasn't such a short update after all... :D
Hmmmm....this wasn't such a short update after all... :D
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