On August 19, 2012, Beyoncé performed “I Was Here” for United Nations World Humanitarian Day. She sang:

“I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget

I was here. I lived, I love
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here … “

Dear Beyoncé, 

I am here.

Despite all of the obstacles in front of me, I am living and loving. I have loved every moment with my family, spending the evenings with aunts and cousins in my grandfather's house. I cherish every Allah yerda allek (God bless you) from my mom's mouth.

I enjoy tasha (hanging out) with my friends: talking, laughing, singing and playing cards; every PlayStation game, when we shout in glee when we win. I love the tradition of making ajwa (mashed dates). I love the smell of rain on the ground, and autumn when the weather gets cold. 
 

I love playing sad music, blasting it through the speakers. I love the sound of Fayrouz (a Lebanese singer) in the morning, and a novel that takes me away with its details. 

I am here. I live and love, although I am not allowed to do everything I wanted. I hate when someone looks at me as if I am not human. I hate the sound of drones. I hate that I cannot travel and see the world due to the Israeli and Egyptian blockade.  I hate that I am afraid time will steal my dreams. 

But still, I will leave the world with something to remember, so they won’t forget. In my own way, I am leaving my mark. As a physiotherapist, I work hard to help people live a pain-free life.  I love when one of my patients is able to walk again. I try every day to be kind to others and smile to lift their spirits. I want to leave a footprint on the sands of time. 

I know that ups and downs are part of the journey. With every breath, I fight to keep pushing up the hill. With every tear, laugh and smile, we decide which print we want to leave in the world. Mine will be a print of love and passion. 

Yours, 

Basman