Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Preoccupied With Cairo

I am very preoccupied with events in Cairo, my former home. I am worried about the people there, foreigners, yes, but they have somewhere else to go. Mostly I worry about the locals – I worry about the lack of food, cash, order and security. I am also very proud of them – every article I read, every photo I see. They are standing tall for the freedoms and reform that they want. They are protecting those who need protecting. I am proud of my former neighbors and hosts as if they were my own family. I am also very scared for the people, and for the near future. I shouldn’t be, because they are a strong people, but I am. I don’t want anyone hurt. Most of all though, I am filled with hope.  When I see the people angry, but smiling, caring for one another, safeguarding property, sweeping the mess, Christian and Muslim side by side, soldiers embraced, etc.… I see hope.

Politically, I don’t know what I should say or what I hope the outcome to be. I have discussed with friends, IRL and on facebook, but really, it’s none of my business. This is the Egyptians’ business, and while I have my opinions, I think I need to just keep out of the way and send prayers for peace and security. That’s of more real use than my 2 cents anyway. I am also praying that the whole situation is settled soon, for the good of the people.

I’ve had folks share photos with me in FB and email, you know how things get passed around. There are a lot of stunning photos coming out of Egypt, and elsewhere. Sad, touching, and inspiring. Here are a few of my most favorite. They may not be the ‘best’ ones out these, but they’re the ones that I like. (I don’t know who to credit these photos to, they are not mine. I have seen some floating around the different news agencies, some only on facebook, some only via forwarded emails. Who owns what? I don’t know. I’m sharing to share, not to profit.) A good friend also shared a poem with me via facebook, written in a memorial tribute to a lady I’d never heard of before, Ms. Virgina Jones, by the Mayor of Newark, NJ, Mr. Cory Booker, someone else I do not know. I think it fits here very well. From his FB page: (CAB 1/25/11 inspired by Ms. Virginia Jones, may she rest in peace.)  Very powerful words.

When the world comes crashing down

coffeebloggers

(bloggers in Egypt, silenced)

And the cold truth of now, trumps any future fear

cambridgemass

(Cambridge, Mass)

flist

Perhaps true courage is found

women

2flags

When you can still shout unto the world, “I am still here!”

arms up

Battered and bruised our spirits may be

dc

(DC)

As savage circumstance brings the dark night

horse

Perhaps true faith is found, when you realize and see

pray2

That within you is an in-exhaustible light

tank

So you have fallen hard into fate’s grim grip

pray

And it seems that you are at the end of your rope.

antique

We'll tie a knot right there so you don’t slip

seattle

(Seattle, WA)

shake

And let the world see that as long as you breathe, you remain a prisoner of hope.

kiss

flower

8 comments:

Donna said...

Very nice post, Connie.

FSO Hopeful said...

Great pictures and thanks for sharing.

Kate said...

Ditto what Donna said.

Becky said...

Thanks for an awesome post Connie. I have been amazed by the Egyptian people.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, Connie. Thx for these pix. They are so telling. I've been really inspired by the Egyptian people this past week! I love that Christians and Muslims are standing together ~ that people stop and pray ~ that we see women of all ages/backgrounds wearing a variety of clothing styles and coverings. It's really amazing to see the diversity and unity. Thank God the Army thought better of firing on the masses.

Connie said...

Thanks everyone. Keeping praying for the people of Egypt! I find myself worrying about all this chaos, and wondering if they are really doing the right thing... then I see some quote like this:

(by Nicholas D. Kristof, reporter in Cairo - look for him on Facebook) Just spent another couple of hours in Tahrir Square, which is still full of many thousands of people six hours of curfew. Many are camping around fires for the night. One man told me, pleadingly: We just want what you have in America. You were the pioneers. Help us get democracy!"

or worse, like this:

"Tamer A., a driver of one of the thousands of minibuses that ferry commuters around Cairo, said he was sick of the daily humiliation he felt from police who demand free rides and send him on petty errands, reflecting the widespread public anger at police high-handedness.
"They would force me to share my breakfast with them ... force me to go fetch them a newspaper. This country should not just be about one person," the 30-year-old lamented, referring to Mubarak." (Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/01/thousands-converge-cairo-demand-mubarak/#ixzz1CkJfHbXV) I remember seeing that happen... :p ...

Chaos or not, I believe these good people deserve a chance to have a much better government.

Just US said...

Thank you very much for the post and the pictures. The people in Egypt are in our prayers!

junglemama said...

Julia sweetly came up to me yesterday and said that she is so glad that you guys don't live their anymore.