INSPIRE
I WANT TO LEAVE. I WANT TO STAY. By Cosette Awad
“T
hey say you are not a tree, don’t stay at the same place.” It’s a saying that I never questioned. Belonging has never been a thing for me, since I was a kid I used to tell my mother “I was born on the wrong side of the world.” I always wanted to be anywhere but here. The thing about belonging in my personal humble opinion is about the place where you feel safe, where you collect beautiful memories and where you cherish the best moments of your life. The place where I was born, held the most painful memories, childhood traumas, tears, pain and loss. I tried to remember the moments of happiness I felt in this torn land I was born in, I found out that I could count them on one hand. 54 | eYs Magazine, Summer 2021
So I decided to collect what’s left of the hope I have for what’s coming next, and pack my things and leave to a place I can call home forever. Years ago, as soon as I got a chance I packed my bags and left, started over 3 times and I never regret it once. Not belonging gave me a sense of freedom, made me love the place I traveled to, and made a home wherever I go. I’m not saying that belonging is a bad thing, some people have roots planted where they are, where they were born, they are satisfied by the way they are living, and have unconditional love for their motherland and they refuse to leave, and they endure whatever fate brings them.
With everything going on in the world now many people all over the world are considering that where they live is hell, but with mixed feelings of “I want to leave. I want to stay.” Reem Ibrahim To belong, a quest I never ceased yet. I was born and raised in my beloved country, Lebanon. Lebanese by blood, by attachment, and by beliefs. I was raised to appreciate everything surrounding me, people, nature, school, even the chaos. I believed I belong there, I mean everything and everyone I love is there, my family, my friends, nature that I love.
