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

(bloggers in Egypt, silenced)

And the cold truth of now, trumps any future fear

(Cambridge, Mass)

Perhaps true courage is found

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

Battered and bruised our spirits may be

(DC)

As savage circumstance brings the dark night

Perhaps true faith is found, when you realize and see

That within you is an in-exhaustible light

So you have fallen hard into fate’s grim grip

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

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

(Seattle, WA)

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