Life Through Her Eyes: 25

                                                                         I’m Palestinian 

Hand in hand 

We walk on the beach with sand touching our bare feet 

Our baby boy “George” is running around 

When he’s distracted you steal a kiss 

As we sit down, I take out the “manakish” I made earlier 

We eat as we enjoy the sun and laughter fills our lungs 

Baby George falls into your lap, you put one hand around him and one hand on my thigh 

I look at you and smile. 

This is a life worth living, I think to myself as I put my head on your shoulder 

What a simple pretty dream! 

I wake up to remember I'm Palestinian 

I'm not allowed into Yafa (where the beach is) because I don't have a “permit” to the occupied territories. 

I am not gonna be able to see you until I'm 50, and you are 55, you are a resident of the occupation's prison for the next 20 years 

By the time we reunite, baby George is still a fantasy!

About the Author

Rand is a 26-year-old Palestinian. She is the youngest of four children; she finished her undergraduate studies at Bir Zeit University, Ramallah, Palestine. During her university years, Rand grew more interested in the humanitarian structure and the Palestinian cause from a humanitarian point of view. Through volunteering and networking, Rand received many pieces of training in crisis management, and emergency navigation, as well as, humanitarian structure, signature, and localization allowing her to employ her knowledge in her career and as a volunteer with many local and international humanitarian organizations. Moreover, Rand is a very expressive artistic person who attempts to share her human experience through pen and brush. She is captivated by sunsets and Palestinian beauty.

All photos in the series are by Rand.