Waleed J. Iskandar
(1967-2001)
"Wherever he was, that became the best place in the world to be"
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The clock on your webpage shows 477 days, 00 hours, 00 minutes, 00 seconds have passed since your departure from this world. Since the early morning, your image is inside my head. It seems I am still learning how to accustom myself for living with your absence (January, 1, 2003) |
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I asked God to take away my bad habits. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; It isn't granted, it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own!, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things. I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. (January, 08, 2003) |
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My dear son Waleed, 500 days have passed since your untimely departure. Every single day of these five hundred days you were with me. Time did not heal the wound yet. I see you in my head every morning when I open my eyes. I see you every night before I close my eyes. I wonder whether this is the cause of not seeing you yet in my dreams ? At the meetings of the families of September 11, they told me it might take years before I see you. I am still waiting. The messages from your friends did not stop. I received a couple from school mates of yours in Kuwait. They mentioned in them the trip that you made to Cairo in the year 1984. It was a trip to attend a dance festival there. They sent me photos of that trip. Messages from people I never met are being posted in your guestbook on the web. I appreciate these contacts very much. As a matter of fact, these contacts let me feel that you are still with us. They show me how fortunate we were to have had you for our son. You have made a great number of friends. You are still making friends of people who never met you. They visit your website. They are touched by your story. They need to express their feelings. This week, Irena Peykova from Bulgaria wrote me. She had never met you, but she read your story. She brought solace to my heart. To me you are still alive through your many friends. (January, 24, 2003) |
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Reverend Robert J. McNamara, the pastor of St. Bernardine of Siena church in Woodland Hills, CA. is running a beautiful and successful Parish. He has built a fountain in the courtyard of the church and surrounded it with brick flooring. 
The Fountain The parishioners have requested some writings on the bricks. Samia and I asked for "In Loving Memory Waleed J. Iskandar" to be engraved on one of these bricks. 
The Brick There are more than 4000 bricks (size 8 inches by 4 inches) laid down in an area of 900 square feet approximately, with the fountain in the middle. We went on Saturday January 25, 2003 At 6:30 PM to the church to see the brick for the first time. I approached the usher in the church and asked him for directions to the fountain and the reason we had to go there. His answer was "It is too dark you cannot see the brick you are looking for". But we went. It was her first visit to the place. She has never been there before. It was dark except for the light from the near by church. It took her less than five seconds to find the right brick. I took it as another sign from Waleed. He has directed the steps of his mother towards it. Glory be to the Lord. (January, 25, 2003) |
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Why is it that I cannot make myself think of your vibrant life and not of your tragic death? A question which I ask myself a hundred times a day. You have lived a beautiful life. You meant so much for so many people. You have left a legend to your friends. You have left your Mom and me with a treasure of happy memories. Yet, every time I think of you I think of your loss. Today is Valentine's day. It is the day of Love. I send you my special warm wishes. (February, 14, 2003) |
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Today, a friend sent me this ................... When I am gone, there will still be . . . A planet called earth, Vast rolling oceans, Snow-capped mountains, Cool deep canyons. When I am gone, there will still be . . . Quiet in winter, The promise of spring, The pleasure of summer, Harvest in fall. When I am gone, there will still be . . . Laughter among friends, The love of a child, The serenity of a quiet evening, Prayer in the heart. This is the world we have inherited. Treasure and protect it. (February, 23, 2003) |
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This morning, I came across this poem by Elizabeth Dent: Go ahead and mention my child, The one that died, you know. Don't worry about hurting me further, The depth of my pain doesn't show. Don't worry about making me cry. I'm already crying inside. Help me to heal by releasing The tears that I try to hide. I'm hurt when you must keep silent, Pretending he didn't exist. I'd rather you mention my child, Knowing that he has been missed. You asked me how was I doing, I say "pretty good" or "fine" But healing is something ongoing. I feel it will take a lifetime. (By Elizabeth Dent) (February, 28, 2003) |
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