by Malak Ghaddar
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As a child I always wanted to see the city from above, to fly from one place to another.
As I grew up, I slowly became friends with birds.
We know each other, we call each other.
Later, I learned their names. I mean the names we gave them: sparrow, chickadee, finch, hummingbird…
I wonder what they call us? Do we have different names based on our colors, sizes and habits? How do we look for them from above?
I wonder what they say when they see me each morning:
Here she is, the brown woman , wearing the same grey robe again! Ah…, and peanuts again today!
Or perhaps more simply;
"Hey Guys , we’ve got our food for today"
Malak Ghaddar is originally from Lebanon, came to Callanish after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, shortly after her arrival in Vancouver. She participated in three Callanish retreats in 2024 and 2025 and has remained an active member of the Callanish community since. She is a physician currently pursuing training in palliative care.