Courage.

I met a man today, while waiting at the passport office: Soft spoken, polite, and one whom I would have no problem calling honourable and courageous. A naturalized Canadian citizen he was born in Iraq and fled the country for a better life 25 years ago. In a couple of weeks he is going back to see family that he left behind, to rekindle old ties with childhood friends, to pay respect to those he left, morn those he lost and to work as a translator for the Canadian Government. My first question was, why? Followed closely by, aren’t you afraid? And how is your family coping with this?

He replied, that for him it is a matter of honour. That he does not want sit back as others who have no vested interest in his homeland, who have no ties to the land, fight for a better life for his people. That he wants to give back to his family, so that they may one day live in a world as free as he has known here. As for being afraid, the answer is yes. But that you never know what life will bring, that you can as easily be killed while crossing the street. That his family was terrified, but that this is something he has to do.

Sir. May the gods keep you out of harms way, may they always keep your feet firmly planted on the path that is sound and secure. May they guard you in times of danger. May they bring you back home to your family, safe and sound.