Cry your tears from the river to the sea
Donna Williams
Wellbeing Entrepreneur / Sports Scientist / Transformational Mentor for women changing the world / Ultimate fundraiser
This morning I am especially heart broken reading news from Gaza and learning of the death of Khaled Nabhan, also known as Abu Diaa, and possibly the world's most beloved grandfather. He was killed early on Monday (16 December, 2024), in an Israeli bombardment targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
We all 'know' Khaled because we watched him grieve the killing of his tiny granddaughter Reem, (just 3 years old) more than a year ago, kissing her eyes, holding her tight, wrapped in his love. His grandson Tarek who was 5 at the time, was also killed in the same attack.
What you may not know about this charismatic, generous, loving and community minded man is that he was just 54 years old when he was killed yesterday. And that his death is yet another horrific real time example of intergenerational loss, caused by this never ending and bloody war.
No adult expects their children, let alone their grandchildren to depart this earth before them. Yet instead of being slain in life by the killing of Reem and Tarek, Abu Diaa became a symbol of resilience, joy and hope for people both in Gaza and around the world.
I hope with all my heart that his words 'soul of my soul' describing his granddaughter Reem, will be the properly attributed phrase that comes up number one in everyone's Google search a thousand years from now, when they ask for the ultimate description of love.
If you feel the devastation in Gaza and the death of dear Khaled, more deeply than usual today then welcome to being human. Let your tears flow, let the deep sobs of your grief rise up in your throat and leave your body, welcome in your own humanity, because it means that you are still alive, that you have a heart that loves and cares deeply. And the world needs so much more of that these days.
In a thank you message that Khaled shared publicly after the deaths of Reem and Tarek, he told the world that he cried tears with our tears. Today we return our tears to him, to Palestine, from the river to the sea.