He tugged at her hijab on the metro during the early morning commute. Thrown off-balance, she spilled her French-roast coffee and clutched her pregnant belly. She was in certain danger.
“Go back to where you came from,” he hissed at her. His sinister accusation that she didn’t belong tumbled in the pit of her stomach, as if a dryer.
She panicked and exited the train immediately. Where should she return - the womb? We owed our mothers gratitude for carrying us nine months and protecting us from harm as we grew up.
The stark pain of separation was enough to dismantle anyone’s dreams. She imagined herself safe in the West with the promise of freedom, but increasingly that was not the case. Her support system - her family and friends - remained abroad. She was new in town and she traveled to work alone. Life was not easy, but working in a daycare was heartwarming. She loved being surrounded by children. While so many adults had hardened their hearts, she saw beauty in the light of a child’s smile.
She was a single soon-to-be mom - devoted and daring. She found her way to work despite the detour. When she arrived a few minutes late, she explained what had happened to her on public transport. She was met with compassionate hugs and held hands with hope. The world could be unforgiving toward single parents, but today lovingkindness galvanized her spirit. She wrote a poem.
Be patient, my child!
More precious than the sunrise
Be grateful and smile
She would be a first-time mom. She wondered how she would raise an infant while surrounded by people whose actions were fueled by hate. She prayed her child could play in public without vicious attacks. Adults must unlearn deep-seated vitriol and come together as one human family. It was the only way to resolve our differences and to center ourselves on common ground, in our shared humanity. We must draw the line for the next generation to grow up in peace. We must believe we came from the same source. Everyone was whole and has worth.
Today, an expecting mother was given a wake up call. She was not welcomed by an individual from her newfound community, so she joined hands where she could for unity. Movements started small. Her baby kicked inside her. Her child would know love and stomp on the devil who was misguided by his own arrogance. In humility, we can claim we were made of the same modest material. In our exchanges, we can belong to something altogether ethereal.
One day we will leave this earth. It is not our home. Our experiences will feel much like a dream. Reality waits for us on the other side of Paradise. That is where we truly belong - our permanent home.
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