This is not a photography post, but it's much more important than any post I may have posted.
I won’t sugarcoat it, this is a story about child abuse.
I’d like to introduce you to Luz Emilia Haddad, one of the most wonderful, beautiful, resilient, empathetic, nurturing souls on the planet, who has had a special place in my heart since I was a baby.
She’s the aunt you call aunt who’s not really an aunt, but is your aunt.
This is her story.
And while I’ve known here for the better part of 4 decades, and she has played an incredible role in supporting me and my life’s direction and choices, this part of her story I had no idea about until she bestowed on me the honor of helping her proofread and edit this book.
Desert Roses - Breaking the Silence
Her autobiography.
It’s not an easy one to digest.
It’s scary, sad, beautiful, powerful, empowering, enraging, encouraging, disheartening, gut-wrenching and insanely inspiring all at once.
The voice she writes this in is pure Luz.
It’s the Luz I know.
The soft-spoken, deep, intuitive, intellectual, sweet, wise, nurturing, oft-funny, encouraging, optimistic, ever-understanding, warm, beautiful Luz I know.
And her bravery in coming forward with this and the way that she dealt with it to grow into the incredible woman that I know is a beacon of love and light and hope in a year that has been filled with so much of the opposite.
Sharing a drink and falafel sandwiches with the author and her husband “back home” in Nazareth.
I took on this task while I was going through some incredibly tough personal times this year, and oddly enough, while I first thought it would be the last thing I should do in the state of mind I was in, in fact, it turned out to be exactly what I needed, for it was impossible not to find the strength to navigate my challenges in large part due to the guidance and strength that she exhibited and invoked through her journey.
She wouldn't let you.
She's like that.
So if you’ve got a few bucks, please consider purchasing her book.
Yes, you will shed a few tears.
But you’ll be grateful you did.
Because you’ll get to know Luz.
And to get to know Luz is a true blessing that adds immeasurable joy to all those that do.