Ghena's Garden
A couple of weeks ago, Fedaa sent me a photo of a piece of art that her eldest daughter, Ghena, had made.
Fedaa’s children are creative and kind, and are always making things, even when they have very little to work with. This painting and meaning touched me deeply and I had an idea to make an embroidered piece from it (with Ghena’s permission of course!). I will be stitching a flower for every person who has supported Fedaa’s fundraiser (70 of you so far!!).
I dyed and painted the fabric with metallic paint, stitched the top in a blackwork pattern (a form of embroidery that uses backstitches and a lot of geometry), and began stitching flowers. I chose this fabric because 1) it was grey, and 2) I already had it. It is also 22ct Aida—this means that there are 22 little crossstitch squares PER INCH. It’s ridiculously tiny (tatreezers most commonly use 14ct fabric). RIP my eyeballs. But—on the plus side, I will be able to fit many many flowers!
The situtation in Gaza is extremely dire. No food or any humanitarian aid whatsoever has entered in over two months. There is no meat or canned goods in the markets; only occasionally very expensive vegetables. The flour that Fedaa was able to get is spoiled and infested with insects. The family now boils spices in water, and puts this and a little piece of green pepper on bread—that is all they have to eat.
Fedaa is five months pregnant and severely malnutritioned. She had to go to the doctor and received a feeding solution, so thank goodness for that, but obviously nothing is ideal for bringing a new little life into the world.
“This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal” —the words of Aaron Bushnell, may his memory be a blessing. I cannot and will not consent to a world where this is normal. Some people do not understand why I spend so much effort on what is happening in Gaza, particularly in light of the horrors we are facing in our own country. I read something this week (paraphrasing): “if one person in your country is denied due process, everyone is at risk.” This is one of many reasons I will not push this to the back burner. If Palestinians can be starved, bombed, and denied the basic dignities of life, so can you. If our country will finance and condone violations of international law against another people, they will do it to us (and already are).
Global solidarity against oppression is the path out of this. It’s a long one, but it’s lined with kind words, shared meals, lit candles, and fierce care.
I told Fedaa that one day I will give her this piece of embroidery. If you would like to become a flower in Ghena’s garden, donate something to their Chuffed campaign.