The Blast....then the Silent Scream

August 4th 2020 started as a normal day for many of us in Lebanon until later early eve a massive monster blast Changed the lives of many,

Stopped the hearts of so many others and injured all of our souls,

left so many homeless, hopeless and ...

many are still missing ...

We all rushed to the scene because the whatever we thought it was "explosion" to make sure our loved ones are still breathing..

While driving I couldn't believe what I was seeing, people driving their cars with smashed glass, pale faces and silence all over (although it was very busy), it was silent, the heavy silence beyond words

until I reached the area, had to leave the car in the middle of the road far because of the massive destructions,

I was walking and it felt I was carrying a ton on my back , steps taken but not moving, I was literally` running a marathon in my place and finally I reached and it felt like I was dying , breathless, the scene to say the least was horrifying, unlike any horror movie, my past my neighbors my friends all gone in a sec, injured people, blood on the streets, my dreams scattered on the floor with the scattered glass of the windows, with the walls demolished and the furniture flying all over the place.... My son shouted OMG!

I was devastated, angry, frustrated, sad, scared, was screaming in silence.... a volcano of emotions that I can't describe or explain even, and the final word in my head was Enough!

Enough we deserve better than this, we deserve to live not survive,

since that day I felt speechless, no words to describe the pain , no words to express ....

Stayed in screaming silence for over a week,

trying to pick up the pieces and then realized it's a choice, we have to move on and rise up and this is when the final decision of leaving the country was taken for many reasons.

yes I left , (half of me and the other half is in safe hands in lebanon with all the community, friends, family .....who stayed there )

I left not because I gave up, I left because my parents are homeless at home and have been blessed with another option, my second family with open arms welcomed me,

Yes my Cyprus family thank you ,

Now all the Lebanese are uniting for the first time to help each other, everyone in his or her capacity and together we will surely rise again to LIVE this time, not to survive

to live and thrive

to be happy and smile again...

Pray for Lebanon and Act for Lebanon....

this is a thank you to everyone who is trying to put a smile on someone else's face, sharing food on the broken tables and plates, listening to the moaning families or just hug, saying a word or show support,

TOGETHER trying to build back the Lebanon we all love..

Stop the politics, rise up from under the ashes and speak only the language of LOVE & ambition,

Yes we can , enough surviving and start Living.

Now is the time for action,

Don't be afraid to ask for help because all of us are here for YOU

and as I say If I can help in any way I am a screen or a message away always :0

until we meet again ,

Much love....

Pauline P Sawaya

#lebanonblast #lovelebanon #We4ULeb