Samir Samih al-Fasih

My child Samir, the one with the sweet soul, whose laugh I will never forget. He was the joy of our home, a friend to the whole family. He was so dearly loved. He loved to do everything, loved to play, and was a diligent boy. He loved school and his teachers. Samir wanted so much to grow up; he had big dreams. He would always ask me, "Mama, when will I grow up and be in the fifth grade?" He dreamed of making it to his high school matriculation exams. I always encouraged him to be a good student, but the occupation denied him his right to an education and took him away from me. He was still in the flower of his youth. I raised him with the utmost care, but he went to paradise before me, a martyr, God willing. A little bird in paradise, your mother's darling. May God have mercy on your kind soul... I place my trust in God; He is my only defender.