Hello 2nd April 2023 - 85 (Eighty-five) months on - Oh, Dearest Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa......... ???? ??????? ??? ??????

Hello?#2ndApril2023?- 85 (Eighty-five) months on - Oh, Dearest Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa......... ???? ??????? ??? ??????

Here I come again on the second of the month. Today, is Sunday the 2nd of April 2023. This means that it has been 85 months since that day on 2nd March 2016, when things changed and changed for ever.

Indeed, the first few months of 2023 have been difficult on everyone, and here I would bring in a saying by Buddy Ebsen who said: "I had a mother who taught me there is no such thing as failure.?It is just a temporary postponement of success." Indeed, no matter what happens, all is temporary or postponement and success will be coming.

In addition, we were praying and we continue to pray. As you taught us Mum, to pray for everyone so, here is a prayer for all:

Dear God,

I come before you at this moment.?

Please:

Enlighten what is dark in me,

Strengthen what is weak in me,

Mend what is broken in me,

Heal what is sick in me,

And revive whatever peace and love that has died in me.

This prayer is for me, my family, my friends, my enemies and even those who hate me. Also to all reading this. Amen.

Further, Mum, always when we sit for a coffee at the backyard she would be reading her Bible, and always encouraged us to take refuge in the Bible, so today, I thought these two verses would be useful these days:

No matter what would be the situation, we need to always keep our trust in God the Almighty, always seek God the Almighty in whatever circumstance we are in, as we are taught in the Book of Psalms (Psalm 9:10).

Further, no matter how difficult life might get, Mum, you always taught us to cast our burdens on our LORD and our LORD will support us... you were right always and continue to be right to this day and time:

As it is usually the case, this month we have prayed on daily basis - and the prayers and commemorations are in this presentation:

Also, and as my Mum taught me throughout to wish good to all no matter what, and as she was always wishing me as I head out from home for any purpose, thus, here I am sharing this what I read this month which reminded of that Oh Mum.

So, my wishes to all of you:

Comfort on difficult days

Smiles when sadness intrudes

Laughter to kiss your lips

Sunsets to warm your heart

Hugs when spirits sag

Friendships to brighten your being

Beauty for your eyes to see

Faith so that you can believe

Confidence for when you doubt

Patience to accept the truth

Love to complete your life.

Further, and as I usually states in these entries, that I have been reading, and this month, I have read a poem in this April 2023 calendar, as if I was there sitting and writing this poem, indeed, you have a beautiful garden, which I will share images from later, but this garden is a different type of garden:

My Mum keeps [kept] a garden, a garden in her heart, she planted all the good things, that gave my life its start. [Oh that heart of gold of yours that gave us everything oh Mum...]

You gave me the miracle of life, for this I want to thank you every day. [No matter how old I get, I continue to thank you Oh Mum... for whatever you have done to me, for giving me the miracle of life - and I am very proud to call you my Mum...]

There is no other love like that of a Mother. [Yes... Yes... Yes... that love, that smile that big hug - we miss those very dearly oh Mum...]

Your heart is filled with care, you are a wonderful example of how to share love. [I was stunned then, and continue to think about it, how did you do it you were an example of how to share love with all... without any limitation Oh Mum...]

Your love is endless and sturdy, never changing and only ever growing as each month goes by, your love is always there for us, it always helps us shine. [That same hug, and smile from the time I was a baby never changed but rather strengthened with time... Oh Mum... your love is immeasurable Oh Mum...]

Through all your challenges, and heartaches, you always found the time to give me the love and attention that I needed. [Indeed, you faced too many challenges, but despite everything, your children were the center throughout.

You make [made] me feel secure and comforted. [Indeed, you were keeping my back - and now the thought of you the memories of you would really make me feel secure and comforted - anytime I face anything, I would ask myself what would Mum have said and acted in such a circumstance - and I am sure you would have always asked me to go along as I am secured and comforted by my LORD who is bigger than any risks that one would face Oh Mum...]

Your love fills my heart. [Yes... Yes... Yes... for eternity Oh Mum...]

Now, and as I mentioned above, I will talk about your real garden that Oh Mum... indeed, your garden here continues to be generous, and giving generously:

Now, in the usual manner I conclude this entry with this Syriac hymn that was shared earlier, received from Touma:

As I would always say, again, and again I continue to be very thankful and extremely grateful to God the Almighty who honored me and blessed me to be the daughter of Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa, Oh Mum... miss you very dearly...

Now, thank you all for taking the time to go through this article.

On behalf of the Issa Family

Your Eldest daughter

Theodora Issa

PS:?Theodora acknowledges the sources used in coming up with this entry including the Issa Family archives for Mum's image shared in this entry, also some collected beautiful flowers, trees and other plants in the garden images that Theodora photographed this month, the calendar of April 2023. Also, Lamsa Holy Bible, and the Department of Syriac Studies.