Let's try again

Shar,

It has been a long time since I last wrote here. I have not given up on blogging. I kept documenting my trips and wanderings into my Brazilian blog, which you can't read - you have no idea of how sad it makes me. Why writing in English again? Why now? What for? Well, in some sense it is for friends like you.

The only reason I created a blog in the first place was to keep in touch with my family while I was in Smith. Then I got back home and there was no need for that anymore, but there was this irritating itch; this feeling that I was failing terribly on keeping my non-Brazilian friends updated on my whereabouts and latest developments. I keep getting e-mails from those fantastic women we went to college with. They send me pictures and stories about what their lives have been like ever since we last saw one another. It makes my heart throb painfully; makes me miss them like crazy.

No, my life isn't all that interesting to attract a legion of loyal readers, but friends are those special people who find time to keep an eye on you from afar. And even if only one friend stumbles upon these scribbles, at least that person will know that I am well and missing my friends.

This is not a proper post in that it does not say anything about anything. It is just me promising to come back soon and leave a note, a poem, or a long story about me in this curious city I live in. I do hope I come back soon and get this going. Then I'll send the link to my friends and let them know that I have not forgotten them, never ever, my dear.

Infinite hugs,

Deb

It's summer again

Dear Shaharzad,

You should see the trees up here! They're bursting anb blooming like delicate fireworks magically prepared! When did it happen? I am sure they were naked yesterday! Their branches were stretching out to the sky like skeletons of a dead spring. Their long fingers waved right out of my window without a trace of green. When did it happen? Who has dressed then so beautifully since I last raised my eyes to stare? They were naked yesterday and now I cannot believe what I see. The trees at Smith are green once again hiding their winter nudity behind tender leaves.

It is summer. The classes are gone, and I suspect that this miracle happened while I was indoors studying for my exams. Too sad, I think, too unfortunate that this magical time had to be spent around books instead of trees. But winter is past, hidden behind green leaves and shinny sun. I feel everything so familiar. The temperature wakes up so many memories…

I long for the never-ending summer I’ve lived in for so long. I miss home, my friend, just like you miss your wounded city. We both have shared the joys and pains of living away from what we love the most and we both have gone through it bravely. I am proud of us. We’ve lived through winter without our families, without our homes, without part of our hearts. But we’ve made it! And we’ve survived and realized how strong we are. And now summer is back bringing the leaves it has taken away. You’ll see your family. I will se mine. I will see my home. You’ll see yours. We both will have 3 months to forget about the snow and enjoy the green magic of summer.

I’m happy that you’ll see your dear country before I see mine. I will leave soon and then I’ll email you so that you know. I’ll send you more news, Shary. I’ll let you know when I finally see the mountains that surround my city. Rio’s dear hills that are always present in my memory will then remind me of Kabul’s and I’ll thank God for having you as my friend. Enjoy Kabul! I’ll surely enjoy Rio as soon as I get there!

Love,

Deb