I'm so sorry.

First, for transparency, I'm American; I have lived in Kentucky my entire life. I'm the 4th generation of my family (on my father's side, at least) born in the US, but many in our family were Levantine. A few family members (that I know of) were from Palestine and Syria, but the majority were from Lebanon, primarily the Zahle and Beirut areas. It may be a smaller piece of my family tree, but it's the part of my heritage I heard most about growing up. My grandfather still remembers fondly when his mother spoke of her father's stories about "the old country." I feel a closer and more personal connection to Lebanon and its people than any other place my family has lived; I haven't yet, but I've always wanted desperately to visit and experience even the smallest part of my family's home country.

I know it's easy for me to write this message from thousands of miles away and in a safe place, drawing from the family stories of people who lived 90 years ago - but I guess I'm just here to say that I am so incredibly and profoundly sorry. My heart is breaking for the people of Lebanon - and Palestine and Israel, too. I'm devastated about everything that has happened… for everything still happening. My family and I love you, feel for you, and want nothing more than your safety and happiness. I can't imagine what you're going through right now, but please know you're in my thoughts every second.

ma3 ssalēmeŧ / مَع السَّلامِة.

(I'm sorry if that's not the correct way to say "be safe" - I've only very recently started trying to learn Arabic... and I absolutely googled that.)