It’s proving difficult to write about today. Not because there are no words to say. Not because there are no women that come to mind. Not because there are no thoughts or emotions to express. But precisely because there are too many of all of those things and more, making it difficult to do this topic justice. A few scattered thoughts from my lens may just have to do. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman who persevered and succeeded. My mom. 

Today I’m thinking of the most full-of-life woman I know who was widowed at 41. Life as a woman after that became almost irrelevant. عيب. 

Today I’m thinking of the most elegant woman – the ambassador of Deir el Qamar in Ain El Abou. Her grace and resilience. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman who travelled to Turkey on foot to escape the famine of World War One. My great grandmother. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman whose partner no longer sees her as a woman. 

Today I’m thinking of the “bossy” woman who started her own company before turning 30. 

Today I’m thinking of the “unpleasant” woman driving a public bus. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman whose parents are forcing her to find a “suitable” husband. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman who’s “too old” to be single. عنّست. 

Today I’m thinking of the woman who is “too sensitive”. 

Today I’m thinking of me. And my “attitude”. 

Today I’m thinking of every woman who has felt the hardships of being a woman one way or another. Whether you’ve been called aggressive for speaking out. Whether you’ve been called slutty for showing cleavage. Whether you’ve been physically, mentally, or emotionally abused or had your opinion simply disregarded. It’s not easy. 

Happy women’s day indeed but I look to happier ones ahead.