Author Archives: thisihumblyspeak

Mother

Posted on May 10, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

Tonight, I lay me down to sleep A simple prayer I recite Carved in memory to keep alive the treasury of childhood archives. And in the nectar of my thoughts Her arms, a wingspan, fold gently Embracing the child in … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, mother | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Yeva, a Mother

Posted on May 8, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

I met Yeva for the first time one afternoon at her home while waiting for Ohan to arrive. She lived upstairs in one of the traditional Lebanese homes of stone with beautiful high arches and windows that showed off the … Continue reading →

Posted in life, Love, poverty | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Remembering

Posted on April 20, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

I believe in remembering history. And I believe a great deal can be said about a country and a people by what they deem important enough to remember, to commemorate and to celebrate in their losses and in their gains. … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, death, faith, genocide, humanity, justice, Uncategorized, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Called to New Life

Posted on April 12, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

It is Easter once again. With hope in our hearts we proclaim, “Christ is Risen. Blessed is the Resurrection of our Lord.”  The Father raised Him to new life.  Now, He is calling us to new life. Easter reminds us … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, God, life, Love | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Nature Connects

Posted on March 28, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

Nature connects us to the Divine that calls to us. It is what I believe, not because of what religion I am or what God I believe in. It is because this earth knows only one Divine, and Nature is … Continue reading →

Posted in God, life, nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fear and Hope

Posted on March 17, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

This past week has definitely been painful and upending; a week of learning and adaptation in our lives. Our humanity has been tested, angered, loosened and tightened. We have felt our world of certainties, our ease, freedoms and entitlement slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family, gratitude, humanity, life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Shamefully, I Urge You

Posted on March 8, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

The month of March marks International Women’s Day as the global celebration of women recognized widely throughout the 20th century after its official launch by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977. It is a time to reflect on progress made, to call … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, equality, gender, gendercide, international women's day, justice, women | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Feminist–Dreaded ‘F’ Word

Posted on March 3, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

At the conclusion of one of my speeches advocating for women’s rights as human rights, a young woman scoffed at my use of the word feminist saying, “That ‘f’ word, ‘feminist’ is so passé. We’re beyond that now.” Are we? … Continue reading →

Posted in empowerment, equality, gender, justice, women | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Love You

Posted on February 14, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

“Love you, love you,” I said in Armenian, as I ended a phone conversation with my sister, while waiting to pick up a cup of coffee at a local joint. A beautiful elderly woman smiled and asked if I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Love | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Thread of Permanence…Love

Posted on February 1, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

Celebrity deaths and the grief that accompanies them prompt the collective question about the purpose of life. We start to think, “What is a life well lived? What imprint are we leaving on the world? What do we fear most … Continue reading →

Posted in family, friend, legacy, life, Love | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments