Waleed J. Iskandar
(1967-2001)
"Wherever he was, that became the best place in the world to be"
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May, Sany and their families are on a trip to Italy. Samia and I did not join them. His absence is what gives me the pain. We used to travel, all together. He was with us every time. In the family gatherings he was present. On our vacation trips, he made it a point to be with us. When we traveled to Lebanon, he used to join us there. When ever he had a trip to Boston, he added Northridge to his itinerary. On Holy days, he used to join us at church for the morning Mass. So, how could I be with them and Waleed is not present? (July, 03, 2002) |
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Three hundred days have passed. The Lord says "Come to me all who are weary, burdened and hurting, I will refresh you" I am hurt. Thus I am coming to you, LORD (July, 08, 2002) |
 On Wednesday, July 10, 2002, HBT planted a tree in Our Lady of Lourdes church in memory of our son waleed. Sharyn Romano of the Hollywood Beautification Team made this occasion possible. We will remember Sharyn and the HBTeam every time we visit the site of the tree. (July, 10, 2002) |
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Anita Ahuja, Executive Liaison for the CA Victim Compensation and Government Board in Sacramento, arranged a Meeting for September 11 Family Members and Survivors. The date was July 13 and the time was from 10:00 AM to 4:00PM. Dr. Ken Druck of Jenna Druck Foundation was amongst the speakers. He lost his daughter in the year 1996. Since then, he has been doing consultation and giving help to the bereaved persons. I learned something very precious from him. He mentioned that the best gift we can give our lost one is SURVIVAL. By surviving, we keep the memory of our beloved alive. I am sleeping nights with his advice. Thank you Ken ... (July, 15, 2002) |
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Nothing in the whole world hurts like the loss of a child. Some moments, I think to myself that it is time to accept and go on. Some moments I believe that the best gift which I can give Waleed is my survival. When some one asks me "How do you feel?" I answer "OK". But he should add "I mean really how do you feel?" Then his face will pop up in my head. His voice will ring in my ears. And the hurt will start again. I start thinking that every day passes by, it brings me one day closer to meet him in our eternal rest place. And I feel the void that his absence has left me with. I start praying to the Lord. I feel peace again ................ (July, 23, 2002) |
 On Saturday, July 27, a Memorial for the Victims of September 11, 2001 was given at Chapman University Memorial hall, Orange, CA. It was brought to us by Angels of Love Ministry. The Memorial was so heart touching. 825 stained glass angels handcrafted by volunteers from Angels of love Ministry were displayed. Each of the 825 angels was created for a victim of the September 11th tragedy including the Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Port Authority Officers, Pentagon workers and the crew and passengers on the planes. Each angel was sent to the family of the victim for whom it was made. Thank you Sally and Rick Cryder ...... (July, 27, 2002) |
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My niece Samia Bakhos, from Beirut, sent me the following piece of literature from the book of wisdom ..... The virtuous man, though he died before his time, will find rest. Length of days is not what makes age honorable, nor number of years the true measure of life; understanding, this is man's gray hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age. He has sought to please God, so God has loved him, as he was living among sinners, he has been taken up, he has been carried off so that evil may not wrap his understanding or treachery seduce his soul; for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade, and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart. Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life; His soul being pleasing to the Lord, he has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him. Yet people look on, uncomprehending; It does not enter their heads that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord and that he intervenes on behalf of his Holy Ones. (July, 30, 2002) |
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I wish he overslept that morning of September 11, 2001. I wish he got sick and did not go to the airport. I wish he could not find a taxi and missed the flight. I wish the plane had a mechanical error and did not take off. I wish the captain of flight AA11 did not make it on time to the airport. I wish the events of that day never happened. I wish he is still with us …………… (August 3, 2002) |
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They ask me “Is Waleed Special”? I answer "Yes". We have a daughter and two sons. We love them all the same. Then why should Waleed be special? In his death, he is special. In love, the three of them are the same. (August 6, 2002) |
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At home, at the airport , in London, in Park City, in Holiday Beach, only his absence will be there. There will always be someone missing. It is his non presence that kills me. When we are gathered together, he will be absent. Never again we will see him, or meet him or embrace him or hug him or touch him. His bedroom will be devoid of him for ever. I have to live the rest of my life without Waleed. (August 7, 2002) |
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