no let me try again. i have never been able to remember birthdays or anniversaries or the day of the week or addresses.
however, i will ingrain your favourite colour in my mind, know how to make your favourite food by muscle memory alone, pick your favourite flowers out of habit, differentiate between your tone of voice over the phone, and remember every childhood pet you ever loved. i will remember, understand, know, every inch of your being if you let me.
I hate to use the word timely, because what does that even mean?
But in the age of the pandemic still raging on, to a certain extent, it's like we were forced to do that. These things that had become so habitual and part of our lives were suddenly taken away from us, like going to a movie theater, going to have a meal with friends and family, getting on an airplane. With all of that taken away and with the world being put at a standstill, we were forced to see things in a way that we had never seen before.
So yeah, for me, when I try to live my life, these are things that still stay with me today. I try to have moments where I stop and think, "This might feel mundane, but there will be a day where I will be nostalgic about even these mundane things." And I want to be able to savor looking at the blue sky, walking on the street, whatever it might be.
February 28, 2024 - American military veterans burn their uniforms calling for a free Palestine, at a vigil for Aaron Bushnell in Portland, Oregon. [source]
The most terrifying part of having memory issues is when you can feel something from 5 seconds ago be thrown out the window and there's an empty hole where it once was. You remember that you forgot something.
there's no greater betrayal than finally starting to read a book you've had sitting for months on your shelf or your desk or your nightstand and then finding out it's bad. like. i gave you a fucking home.
My father was martyred by Israel on 10 October 2023 after sacrificing his care in hospital so the injured children could take priority. Today would have been his 60th birthday. He was always selfless, kind, and giving for others. My father gave up everything for me to be able to have a better life, because that is what he always dreamed for me and my sister. The world suffered a great loss when he died, and my heart is always with him and every Palestinian who has lost someone.
In his honour and memory, I would love for anyone who is able to do so to consider donating to The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
The PCRF is an amazing organisation that does so much for those in Gaza right now, including helping provide food, water and medicine. You can donate any amount you are able to- there is no minimum! My father would have given his very last cent if he saw the way Palestine was continuing to suffer after over 100 days with this limited aid, so I know celebrating him by helping others is the least he would have wanted.
I saw @parrot-parent do a very successful donation match and I thought it was such a good idea so I will also match all donations up to $500! If you feel comfortable sending me proof of the amount of your donation, I will match it as a donation at the end of February. (My messages are set to mutuals only, but if you donate and we aren’t mutuals if you send an ask with the proof I will make sure to answer it privately.)