we are not numbers
emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights
The celebration in honor of my cousin was modest, but it created a large moment of joy and allowed us to momentarily forget the war.
The cake and graduation cap. Photo: Nada Abdel Karim Hamdona
My cousin Lina completed her studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Al-Azhar University just a few days ago, having endured five years of sleepless nights, arduous coursework, and fatigue.
As she prepared for her university graduation ceremony, it was meant to be a happy turning point in her life. But Lina made the decision, because of the war and the total devastation of campuses, to throw just a modest party to celebrate. However, the graduation gown presented us with a fairly straightforward challenge that, at the time, seemed insurmountable.
The academic gown alone cost approximately $130, and the entire outfit would cost about $200 if she wanted the cap and sash. That number was a far-fetched ambition during wartime, when there was no steady income and few resources. Lina decided to keep quiet because she couldn’t afford the garment. She was nevertheless depressed, and her face revealed her despair.
At that very moment, I made the decision to take a modest but significant action. I recalled an earlier event: Lina was the first to surprise me with a priceless gift, a stunning gold watch, that warmed my heart when I received my degree in English language and education prior to the war. She supported me that day so that, despite my suffering, my joy would not go unrecognized. It was my turn to return her compassion, I told myself.
In order to borrow her graduation gown for a day, I called a friend. She consented right away, lovingly, as though she wanted to be part of our moment. All that was lacking was the happy mood, but suddenly I had the cap and gown.
Nada arranged for Lina’s name to be printed on a graduation cap and sash. Photo: Nada Abdel Karim Hamdona
I made the decision to plan a little celebration because I have some skill with photography and editing. After a protracted battle with infertility, my cousin had a son who had just celebrated his second birthday with a birthday party. I reasoned that since my cousin decided to make his son happy despite everything, I should do the same to surprise Lina with a tiny celebration.
As a result, I set up a small area at home: a clean background, low lighting, and a few basic embellishments. Even though it was raining bombs outside our window instead of fireworks, I thought Lina deserved to experience this moment as if it were a true graduation party.
Since no graduation is complete without a cake, I naturally considered preparing one. The issue was that, due to the situation, I was unable to get the standard ingredients—not even baking powder, milk, or eggs.
I didn’t give up, though. I looked around the kitchen for substitutes and discovered that baking soda and vinegar might combine to be like baking powder, to produce a product somewhat similar to fluffy cake.
Easy Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar (this was quite costly, close to $40)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda (which I borrowed from my aunt because it wasn’t available in the market)
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
and a pinch of vanilla
Method:
Naturally we didn’t have any ovens because we didn’t have gas or electricity, so I sent the cake to a traditional clay oven on the street, where it was baked for roughly 10 shekels, or $3. The cake turned out to be gorgeous and delicious despite its simplicity, but most importantly, it was full of love.
Lina was momentarily shocked when she first arrived home and saw the hanging gown, the adorned area, and the small cake on the table. She started to cry with happiness. In the midst of all this devastation, she had never imagined that her ordinary day would seem like a true graduation celebration.
With laughter resounding across the room, we started snapping pictures one after the next. It was a very different environment. We briefly forgot about the bombardment and the war and simply enjoyed “a graduation moment.”
