Shortly before I left the beach, I approached them and asked if they spoke Arabic. They did. We got to talking and I asked where they were from. Falesteen, was the elder, Ghada’s response. I always get excited when I meet fellow Palestinians scattered along the road. Maybe its a common feeling most Palestinians experience- when I told them I too am Palestinian, Ghada (left) and Tasneem’s faces lit up. I asked where in Palestine they are from. Gaza,Ghada again replied. I didn’t know what to say. Should I tell her how the rest of us mourned? How so many outside of Gaza felt heartbreak and horror of the summers atrocities? Finally I settled on Allahy e’einhom (God help them) Allahy e’ein al jamea’a God help us all) Ghada left 22 years ago. Florida 2014