26 Comments
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Bryan Demchinsky's avatar

Moving and so universal. In Ukrainian grandfathers are called Gido.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Bryan, that is so cool! I had no idea the Egyptian and Ukrainian words were the same!

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Kevin Ferguson's avatar

This is so sweet. Your beautifully illustrates how small, personal items like your grandfather's pumice stone carry the weight of legacy and longing across generations. I, too, am often writing about legacy themes. ❤️

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Kevin. Your Newsletter name is fascinating. Gonna take a peek.

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Maggie May Ethridge's avatar

I’m glad I found your page today. A new subscriber here. Beautiful detailed story of your mother and grandfather.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Maggie. I'm so glad it spoke to you.

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Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Thank you for sharing yourself as you introduce us to the grandfather, Noha. A gentle privilege.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

The privilege is all mine...

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Laura Skov's avatar

Lovely. I feel like I can see him.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

The artwork by Stella Kallaw is uncannily spot on. She captured him perfectly - I am stunned.

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

"...clinging to what little warmth this country would give him..." Beautiful and heartbreaking, Noha.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Stephanie. I've often wondered about what how jarring the change in climate must have felt. It's a whole other life.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

“Immigrants say a momentous goodbye one time, and then spend the rest of their lives repeating it.” What a beautiful sentence packed with a heart wrenching truth , Noha. And, I very much relate to it. Thank you! . I hope the digital collage art shares the same sentiment as your story.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Stella, it 100% does. I felt like I could see Geddo in the picture.

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Hyman Weisbord's avatar

Poetic , lyrical and poignant … thank you for taking the time , sharing this gem .

Hyman

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Hyman! So glad that it spoke to you.

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Janet's avatar

What a beautiful, sad piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you. Yes, it’s always a bit sad.

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Bernie L Cruikshank's avatar

How beautifully you captured the essence of your grandfather and your family story. This in itself is a legacy gift to your children.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Bernie. yes, I’ll read it to the kids when they are ready - any sooner and they might be sad.. They’ve been lucky enough to have their grandparents nearby for the majority of their lives and I dont’ think they’re even aware.

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Joe Neuhaus's avatar

Beautifully written and a privilege to read such intimate thoughts about your mother and your Geddo.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Joe.

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Lin Morency Buckland's avatar

What a lovely story, Noha; it captures so much in a few short paragraphs. And Kristin has made just the right comment about it too. Thank you!

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Lin. Glad you enjoyed it.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

So fitting that something that cares for worn feet would be the totem your mother took to help ease her first steps in a new land.

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Noha Beshir's avatar

Thank you, Kristin. I never thought of it that way but my goodness, it's true!

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