For my birthday, my friends in Chicago (Mary & Dick) sent me a Sayyed Darweesh CD by the "Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble". (See my blog entry on Feb. 21). On my way to meet friends for dinner, I listened to the CD for the first time. It did not take long for a strong gush of emotions to overtake me and the tears flowed.

Sayyed Darwish has seeped in the consciousness of Egypt, and is part of the society's fabric. Holding it together, yet no one is aware of its existence; until you are all alone, in a car, in a far away place like Houston Texas.

All of a sudden I could see our apartment in Zagazig in the late 40s. The family is sitting together on a wintry afternoon. My mother taking the few precious moments she had, from raising 7 children, to mend shirts and glue the fabric of our family together. This is not a singular particular moment, but a collage of happy childhood moments in a warm loving family.

My mind also went back to Tuman Bey Street , in Hadaiq al-Zaytton where we lived since the mid 50's. The tree lined street was full of the promise of a new day, moist with morning dew, the smells of a city waking up and children running to their schools.

This what I thought about when I listened to the first two tracks; Ahu dah elli Sar and Salmah ya Salamah.

Thank you Mary & Dick and may God bless Sayyed Darweesh's soul.