Youmna

This week my very good friend, Hadeel Sayyed, in Palestine had to say farewell to her sweet baby girl, Youmna. Youmna had Alobar Holoprosencephaly, the same condition as Eva, she had seizures and temperature problems. Youmna was only 2 weeks younger than Eva, she died just a few days shy of her 1st birthday. Hadeel is an absolutely wonderful mother, who went through things we could not imagine here in the States. She went months without being able to bring her baby home. Here in the states that may be the case for some parents but they have the luxury of visiting their child all day if they wanted to, they were never denied time with there little ones. When Youmna was in the NICU or their version of it, Hadeel was given a 2 hour time limit a day to see her little girl. When she wrote to me she shared how grateful she was to be with her even for that short amount of time, she never spent her time complaining, she shared her feelings, her feelings of longing to hold her child whenever she wanted to, she wanted to care for her child but was not allowed to. We have luxuries that others don't such as not having to go through check points with soldiers deciding whether you could pass or not, and making it impossible to see your baby in the hospital. The best hospital was far away from her home and there were soldier check points to go through, it was scary and you weren't sure everyday what They would decide about your travels. We are very fortunate to live in this country and have access to medical care that others do not. Hadeel actively sought help, she contacted other parents in the states to try and figure out how to help her little girl. She never whined or complained when her daughter was in the hospital for months without having access to her. We should be grateful for all this country affords us!

Hadeel had hard days and sought comfort from friends and family but always remained strong, she had two other children to take care of and a life that had to go on, regardless of her situation with her daughter. She is someone that I immediately felt a strong connection to, she never felt like she was the only one going through what she was going through, she was always sympathetic and concerned for others, she is such an example to me of what a mother should be, of what a woman should be. Womanhood, I believe, is defined by HoPE! Womanhood, is a woman who knows a difficult situation but does not seek pity, she looks only to improve the world around her. She sees life through hopeful and positive eyes. She is not superficial or juvenile.

To my very good friend Hadeel Sayyed....I love you, I admire you and someday my friend we will see each other in person but till then we will always be in touch!