My Heart Is Broken

The only heartbreak that matters, Beirut

Instagram @nabil.ref

I wrote an article last week about where my dad comes from, the mokhayam - or what some people refer to as a refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Not knowing that this week the entire city would turn into one.

Yesterday the world’s second-largest explosion — 2.8 kiloton yield of TNT- went off in Beirut. For reference, the notorious Oklahoma City Bomber, who was able to shatter 286 buildings, did so with 0.002 kilotons. To the naked eye, the bomb wreaked havoc across a stretch the size of London, but the devastation is immeasurable. Especially in our hearts, this devastation is immeasurable.

I saw the blast. It was pure evil.

I see the destruction.

I see the loss.

I see anger.

I see sadness.

I see people calling for calm.

I see people pointing fingers.

I see people looking for answers.

The entire region’s heart broke yesterday. We are in mourning. Everyone is allowed to mourn differently. That’s how mourning works, and everyone is mourning now.

Everyone lost yesterday—all of us. We collectively lost as a region. But we are together.