Noor in My Heart

Her name is Noor. She is 9 years old and we met in Deheisheh Camp at Laylac Center. Noor kept flashing me her smile throughout the afternoon. At one point, she motioned for me to sit next to her in a big chair, as the young dancers rehearsed. She pointed to my phone; and clicked a selfie of us. In the photo, I noticed that we both wore lavender colored shirts! I offered her a tiny 2'x3" sketch book, perfect size for her small hands. I wrote my name, San Francisco address, and email on the inside cover. We went outside together where the bus was waiting to take the Delegation back to Jerusalem.

Noor motioned for me to follow her into a small store; where I hoped to buy her ice cream. She reached down into the ice cream freezer and brought up one fudgesicle. Before I could get my shekels out, Noor placed 3 coins on the counter, then handed the fudgesicle to me!! Her smile wrapped around me; I got on the bus with tears in my eyes and Noor in my heart. Now that I have a Palestinian "granddaughter", I have even more personal need to end the occupation.

Photo by Amy M.