Hello January 2023 - 2nd January 2023 - 82 (Eighty-two) months on - Oh, Dearest Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa......... ???? ??????? ??? ??????

Hello January 2023 - 2nd January 2023 - 82 (Eighty-two) months on - Oh, Dearest Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa......... ???? ??????? ??? ??????

Hello again on this Monday, the second day of January 2023. Here I come again to publish my monthly article on the 2nd of the month as on the 2nd of March 2016, life as I knew it changed and changed forever. It was the day when my beloved Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa went into her eternal sleep. God repose your soul oh Mum. It is the pain that I felt, and I continue to feel in my heart... Miss you very dearly Oh Mum, miss those beautiful hugs...

Having said that, indeed, I felt that pain that commenced on 2nd March 2016, had made me stronger, and the tears made me braver, the heartbreak that I experienced on that day made me wiser. Here, and as you taught me Mum, I was strengthened by the sayings from the Holy Bible, such as the sixth verse from chapter thirty-one of the book of Deuteronomy:

Indeed, as you taught me Mum, 'No storm would be big when you have faith in God'. This what you taught us, and as always deriving from the Holy Bible. One of these verses, I quote below from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians:

Oh Mum, you taught us to always count our blessings, and do not be distracted by the shortcomings... thus, I usually look at what I have in life, the family and more importantly the beautiful memories of you being my Mum, who taught me how to leave footprints of love and kindness wherever I go - trying, but cannot master this the way you used to do... that came very naturally when you acted this way. We miss you very dearly, the feelings become more intense as we go through the preparations and the days of the Feast of Nativity and the New Year's celebrations. However, I made it a point that these blessed days should come with their beautiful memories of you Oh Mum. Welcome to the New Year 2023.

I am strengthened, and as you taught me by the Holy Bible. Going through the pages of the New Testament, we can easily here Our Lord Jesus Christ talking to us saying:

I am the truth,

I am the way,

I am the life,

I am the door,

I am the bread,

I am the light,

I am the living water,

I am resurrection, and

I am coming back.?

Thus, in Our Lord Jesus Christ 'Emanuel' we place our hearts, minds, souls and lives as we know we are in safe hands. This comes especially as we have just celebrated the Feast of Nativity, the most beautiful time of the year. To whom we would always pray:

Dear Lord God Jesus Christ, please bring comfort to those who are hurting this day.?We need a sweet touch of your amazing love.?Any brokenness within me, I give to you. Heal my heart. Amen.?

In the usual manner, I have been reading, and this month, I have read this poem, that is derived from the January 2023 calendar:

You are so appreciated. (Oh Mum)

As a small baby you held me in your arms, kissing my forehead gently, with soft embraces, you gave the warmest of comfort. [I definitely miss these hugs...Oh Mum]

You are the best Mum in the world, an angel in disguise, full of love and wonderful advice. [Definitely you are - I miss you very dearly Oh Mum]

You are warm like sunshine, brightening up our days.?You are calm like the moon, a light that guides us in the darkness. [You indeed, were the sunshine in our lives, the light that guides us in a very calm manner oh Mum]

You are so very special, words may never be enough to say, how happy you make us each and every day. [Yes... you always made us feel happy - and those are the treasured memories that strengthen us as we miss you so dearly oh Mum...]

For as long as I can remember, you have always been understanding of the things we say and do, your patience is outstanding, and you always know what to do. [Indeed... always were on top of the game - trying to learn but cannot master these things the way you mastered them oh Mum...]

You are a person I look up to, so strong and insightful, you have provided stability and security within our family. [My ultimate guide in life oh Mum...].

In the usual manner, we continue to pray on daily basis throughout the month, and there were some commemorations this month - we seek supplications of the saints for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the safety of the living:

Indeed, December 2022, was the first month of Summer, harsh weather, but your garden oh Mum... continues to be generous:

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

Again, and again I am forever thankful and grateful to God the Almighty who honored and blessed me to be the daughter of Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa, and 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 this month 2023, Lamsa Holy Bible, and the Department of Syriac Studies.