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