Amir Shadi al-Aidi

My son Amir was my companion and my friend. He was not yet five years old. Amir was affectionate, shy, very sensitive, and stubborn. He was so attached to me. He would wake up in the morning and kiss me while I was sleeping. I would usually wake up, and his mother (may God heal her) would prepare his breakfast while I made his favorite juice and a sandwich. We would often go down together, me and his siblings (Rakan and Rahaf), to wait for the bus. When it arrived, he would get on, waving happily to me on his way to kindergarten. Then he would return at noon, laughing all the way up the stairs until he came through the apartment door. His first question was always, "Where's Dad?" Once he was reassured I was home, he would throw down his bag and say, "Help me with my homework." He would sit with his phone for an hour or more, and then go down to play in front of the house with his brother, Rakan. After an hour or so, Amir would come back to make sure I was still home and hadn't gone out without him, then go back to play again. This was Amir, my friend, my beloved. He went far away and never came back, leaving a deep void in my heart. He left with his brother, his grandmother, his other grandmother, his paternal uncles and aunt, his paternal cousins, and his maternal aunts and uncles. He didn't even finish his school year, and I never even got to say goodbye. I will not forgive and I will not pardon the one who burned me alive!!!?