Risk

I faced my fears
Through a very simple task
Which was a huge deal for me

I took a risk
I placed myself in a vulnerable situation
Once again, against all odds

Now I am relieved
I am glad I faced my fears
A small step for mankind
A giant leap for my kind!

Passion

I have found a few more good friends.
The ones that in a half-an-hour conversation.
Know you better than those who have been in your life for years.
They listen to you.
They look deep into your eyes.
They care about you.

They are passionate about life.
They create their own desired jobs.
They aim high, and
Dream big.

They cannot wait to start their days.
They jump out of the bed every morning
To Save Humanity
One person at a time.

They do not laugh at your dreams.
They do not discourage you from perusing them.
In fact, they believe in you more than you do in yourself.
They do not like excuses, scapegoats, and blames.
They believe when there is a will, there is a way.
They keep pushing boundaries.
They keep moving forward.
They sure can make their ideas reality.
One way or another.
They expect nothing less from you.

I am blessed to be in their presence.
They energize me.
They make me happy.
They give me hope.
They change my life for the better.

Natalie

When she had just learned how to walk,
She would walk with her mom towards a lake close by,
To feed the ducks.
Once I took her to give her mom a break.
The ducks were taller than her.
They were so hungry and aggressive,
I was frightened they would bite off her little fingers.
She was not scared at all.
I picked her up anyways.

Once I had received some daffodils.
I wanted to teach her this is the meaning of my name.
"See this flower?
This is the meaning of my name in Farsi".
She leaned forward to smell the flowers.
Then she came towards me and smelled me.
"You do not smell the same!"
I could not stop laughing and hugging her.

She got older.
She even has an e-mail address.
She was so happy having received an e-mail from me:
"You are my best friend", she said.
I never felt better being someone's best friend.

Now she wants to go to places with me.
"When can we go to your work again?"
Natalie asked me last week.
"I am not sure honey.
Whenever we have an event,
I will let you know".
She got sad for having to wait.
"There is a lot to do!
We can visit museums.
There are plenty here".
I wanted to comfort her.
"I want to go to the aerospace museum,
Next week, with you!"
"I am out of town next week.
We can go some other time."
I said apologetically.
"You want to go to aerospace museum? I will take you.", her dad said.
I was so happy and relieved.
"No, I want to go with her", she insisted.
"Why? Go with your dad, it will be fun." I was confused.
"Because you are smarter!"
We all laughed.

I always envied her free spirit and courage.

Religion

Little Victoria was sick last night.
Her nose was running, and
She was sniffing it up.

I was repeating my usual preach:
"You should not suck your thumb so much,
or make sure you wash your hand so that
you do not put germs in your mouth".

She was looking at me strangely,
As if she wanted to say,
What are you talking about?
This is not the way.
She knew better:
"Last week we were blessed at church so that we do not get sick.
It did not work!"
What can she do?

The Great Wall of China: Good Times

We are on the Great Wall of China,
So far from everywhere I used to be.
The wall I used to read about in novels as a kid,
Wondering how gigantic it really was.

I am there with a great professor,
Who I respect and admire a lot.
The one who advised me for five years,
Edited my writings for misplaced or absent 'a's and 'the's, over and over.

The timing is perfect too.
I have just finished my Ph.D.
Not considering my health issues,
I am taking it all as a great turn of events.
The place, the timing, the company,
I love it all.

Every two seconds we are stopped by local sellers.
Selling scarves, books, post cards.
"Silk scarf for your daughter",
She repeats to my professor several times.

"Today, I am your daughter", I say with a smile.
"Oh, that is what she means!
How does she know? Maybe you were my wife.", he asks jokingly.
I laugh at his self-confidence!
"Well, in an academic sense you are my daughter".
He corrects himself.
"These are great times, great memories", I think to myself.