Beyte.

My Lebanon is beautifully flawed. I would be biased if I didn’t say there were struggles and challenges that my country has faced. But my friend, the good of Lebanon outweighs those things. Come along this read and you’ll come to see it for yourself.

My Lebanon has seen the worst, became ashes, and then rose to the top. Only to do it over and over again. Lebanon didn’t gain the nickname “phoenix” for empty reasons and promises. She gained it because Lebanon will not give up. She will not let her flaws, mistakes, and the world’s war against her defeat her. My Lebanon will rise up over and over again. She will try to do better and be better after every rise.

My Lebanon has hope and love that overflows the country like its waterfalls in Jezzine and Tannourine. So where you see sadness and brokenness, I see a teta praying for healing and a mother with a warm hug ready for her sons and daughters. Where you see religions fighting, I see church and mosque people gathering to drink ahwe. Where you see men hating one another, I see fathers and sons of different families and generations playing tawle. Where you see people leaving the country, I see how all of us fly back home every chance we can. My Lebanon is a country where strangers meet from all over the world and are forever connected. She is the place where we all meet up again after years pass and pick up right where we left off.

You will see what you want to see, my friend. If all you want to see is what the media portrays, it’s truly your loss. You have the chance to see a piece of heaven if only your mind is open to it. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll see the beauty of a country that outages time. You’ll see how no matter where one travels, there will always be a stamp of their village on their heart. You see she never lets you feel like you are in this life alone. Every chapter, every high, and every low, she is behind you. When you bleed, you’re never bleeding alone. Your village bleeds with you. My Lebanon cries with her children near or far if they are hurt and celebrates their wins no matter the size of their success.

My Lebanon is one. She acknowledges all of her children and loves each one. The world sees that Lebanon has its downfalls but I see it as places of growth. When I point out Lebanon's flaws, it’s to make her grow into a stronger country. If I didn’t love you, Lebanon, I’d forget my roots and define myself solely as an American. Your traditions, sounds, and culture are rooted in me so strongly like those of the cedar tree. I may waver in the wind or stray away but I always come back.

Lebanon, you are the mother waiting for her children to come back. You pray for our well being and have open arms when we knock on your country’s door. My Lebanon doesn’t care if she knows you, there’s always a plate waiting for you at the dinner table. Don’t come hungry for Lebanon is ready to feed its team. She calls strangers family and means it from the bottom of her heart. Lebanon is like your teta who rarely calls you by your name but instead calls you 3youne or ro7e. She is like your sister who you can turn to when you need someone to hear you out. My Lebanon is home in every sense of the word.

She is magical, my friend, if you allow yourself to see that. My Lebanon is still standing despite its enemies attacks and homegrown betrayals. She’s fierce and strong. My Lebanon will have her children’s back and will defend her land. She will guide her warriors peacefully through mountains in Ehden, through rivers in Chouwen, and through the caves of Jeita Grotto. She will always want the best for her children even if that means they are going to plant their footsteps elsewhere. For she knows, they will always come back at some point.

My Lebanon is like a therapist because she knows which approach her children might need. Do you need the mountains? Do you need the ocean? Or do you need a little bit of both? Do you need teta's cooking or Zaatar w Zeit? Whatever you need, she has it. My Lebanon is a natural medicine, a strategy, and a tool for all of her children.

Yes, my Lebanon is beautiful flawed. It has scars and wounds but from them, she plants lively flowers and builds gardens. My Lebanon may fail but it will rise again and again. Please don’t give up on her for she hasn’t given up on us. Those who dislike Lebanon, dislike her for what her people have done but not for what actually is Lebanon. My Lebanon is an abode, an escape, and a country for everyone. Don’t let its people or media define it because we don’t do it justice.