The bus has pulled away from the curb and my camera has snapped the last picture of our time together at Plymouth. On that bus travel fifteen souls who I am so very proud to call my friends.
Mubasher’s poetic passion,
The inseparable Faiza N. and Sadaf,
The ever-present smile of Saima,
Sarwat’s penchant for pictures,
Samia, our two year veteran,
The indomitable Faiza Shahrukh who trod all over Washington, DC despite her ankle injury,
Afshan,Shahnaz and Azmat who became
the self-professed adopted aunts of my own children.
Abida’s quiet strength of presence,
Learning the finer points of cricket from Rehan, Zahoor and Yasir,
And the strong, silent spirit of Raja.
To quote my 4-year old son, Ethan, as he told his mother of last night’s farewell evening,
“Mommy, I love daddy’s new friends!”
I will repeat here what I said to John Gastright, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, after our meeting with him at the State Department.
“In conversing with my Pakistani colleagues it is clear that within every life we touch, both here in the institute and later on in our dealings with others on both sides of the globe, blossoms an ambassador of hope and promise. The institute has provided us the opportunity to share with our community the rich and varied culture of our Pakistani guests, and in doing so, to dispel many of the myths and misperceptions we hold.
As our Pakistani alumni return home and work with their colleagues and the future generations of Pakistan, their experiences here will serve as a positive influence for cultural understanding. It is my belief that this program (and others like it) illuminates our common human bond and is perhaps our greatest ally in achieving a strong and lasting peace.”
I hope that our paths cross again someday, Insha’Allah.
6 responses so far ↓
1 sadafbhojani // Jul 27, 2007 at 7:20 pm
hey John,
loved your post.thanks for every thing.the memories would be cherished:) take care
2 faizashahrukh // Jul 29, 2007 at 11:22 am
Loved your comments. We really had a great time at Plymouth. Thank you for keeping the picture record and providing us Blog which wil always keep us in touch. Give my love to your kids.
3 Faiza Nabi // Jul 29, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hello John.
How are doing?
lovely post. I am so glad to read all good things you wrote about us and thanks for all the support and love.
Missing you all.
take gud care and love to your sweet kids
4 Faiza Nabi // Jul 29, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Hello John.
How are you doing?
lovely post. I am so glad to read all the good things you wrote about us and thanks for all the support and love.
Missing you all.
take gud care and love to your sweet kids
5 Alli Masse // Aug 2, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Hi Faiza Shahrukh … Asalam-au-Laikum…
App ka kaya hal hai? Maui Thik hoon.
I was hoping to see you before you left to go home, but I am glad that I got to meet you and that you are home safe with your family and friends.
Someday we will meet again and speak like women speak as good friends.
Shukariya Faiza. -alli
6 Alli Masse // Aug 2, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Asalam-au-Laikum, Mubasher Nadeem ! Do you remember me? I was in the Journal making class with the suitcase that Carol taught? You signed my book! I like what you wrote, I would like to see you all come back while Guilford School is in session and see the classrooms in action. I think it would be a great way to see how our culture learns, what they learn, and how similar child from all over the world are.
I am glad that I got to meet you and Shukariya for your comic relief!
Sincerely,
-Alli Masse
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