A Land of Permanent Goodbyes Quotes

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world. —Fred Rogers”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“When one learns eventually that home is not an object, comfort begins to return.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“The human heart is the most complicated creation I’ve ever encountered. The formation of the cosmos was easier to understand.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“They feared a death at home; instead, they died searching for life.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“The story of displacement and loss is woven into the fabric of human history. One day it's them, the next day it's you. But as generations pass, most forget that their people, too, have suffered. Some, though, still hold the empathy in their souls. But others choose not to; they choose to help themselves before helping others. Those are the souls who never find true happiness. Their hearts are never full.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“The story of displacement and loss is woven into the fabric of human history.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“With each step, Tareq knew this was another permanent goodbye.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“A silent walk with other families carrying bags, belongings and regrets.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“Distance often safeguards the heart. It preserves and shields you from letting the pain enter your spirit, changing you forever. Bridging that distance can make you hurt. But that isn't a sign of weakness; it's the power of compassion and love -- the two elements that can save a world.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“Sometimes the most beautiful love happens at the most unforeseen times with the most unexpected people.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“Unspoken connections happen when souls become intertwined. Most last for fractions of a second, but some a lifetime and beyond.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“I hope you will provide that warmth, be that helper, do what you can to make that world a better place. Because when I meet you - and I will - there will be a reckoning. There always is.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“Please don't be scared of us. We are more terrified of your reactions. We are broken people who are haunted by our past, our future and our dreams. We narrowly escaped death, the war, the rapes, the murders and the killers - we have family who didn't - please don't think those monsters represent us. We swam through our country's blood and corpses barely keeping our heads afloat to breathe, to survive and to live another day. We left our homes, we left our history. We left our loved ones without the time to mourn them. We brought our hearts, but they have been shattered into tiny pieces. We didn't come here to harm you, we've come to heal.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“I see many good people from the countries who come to say hello. They smile at us and make us human again after being yelled at by their military and police. They make me remember, every country has good people and bad people. Just like mine.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“You see, words fade through time, as do faces. But it's actions that linger, yours and those of others. They stay in the mind and the heart even as your body grows old and fragile. They transform into regrets and gratitude. Their effects outlive your brief stay on this planet.
The best you can do is pray that your deeds lead, in some way, to making someone's life better - if even for a moment. Especially at a time when their lives have been all but destroyed by the hunters.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“They were from what some would call different worlds - but to me, you are all from the same world. You have the same hearts, needs, wants and desires. You come from the same beginning, and your earth will have the same end.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“Hello, Strange Land,
please take care of us.
Hello, Strangers, please
don't hate us.
We know this will never be
home and we will never
be yours.
But please remember our
hearts beat and our
blood flows.
And our pain, only a few
people know.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“So yes, you were born to die. But in between, you are meant to live.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“As people migrate, they bring with them their languages, foods and cultures. And as the years pass, they adapt what they’ve brought to fit into their new lives and countries.”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

“The first child tricks you into having more!”
― Atia Abawi, A Land of Permanent Goodbyes