Special Tributes 2
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Special Tribute by Lauren Smith, a very dear friend of Mona, US
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Mona, Sweet Mona
Mona… a warrior, a giver, knowledgeable, unforgettable, giving, kind, caring, and gentle. These are all the things that we know and see. These are all the things that forever remain in our minds, even after she is gone.
What people didn’t know or see….a scared woman, misunderstood, misdiagnosed, let down (time and time again), a fighter against all odds, struggling to get through each day, pain, fear, guilt, shame and sadness.
To me, Mona, you are and will forever be the ultimate definition of a warrior. One defines that as “a person engaged in some struggle or conflict”. Mona struggled with many demons, not just “some”. So many people gave up on her. While, she never gave up on anyone.
One thing I know for certain is that all of Mona’s friends stood by her, no matter what came their way. That is because they learned that from Mona. Mona was an inspiration to so many. Some that only met her once, some which had the honor to know her very well.
So many people are at a loss now that she is gone. The world has lost such a beautiful and loving soul. Mona would give anyone anything they needed. She always put others first. Her mind went straight to the thought of “how can I help this person” versus the many of our society in how this person can help me. Mona offered so much to the world and she was not just an ordinary person going about her business. She wanted the best for everyone she encountered and Mona demonstrated that time and time again.
There is an endless list of people that had the grace of Mona’s helping; this forever defines her as an angel. Even in her short time on earth, she had a profound effect on more people than others do in an entire lifetime. And for that the world is grateful. Mona will live on through so many of the people she touched.
I spoke to Mona several times the weekend of her death and heard the pain in her voice.
It rips my soul apart to know that she is gone now. We are all at a loss and continue to wonder, what more could I have done?
An amazing woman once gave me this poem and told me it described exactly who I am as a person. And I take this poem and now pass it on to Mona and her soul. The words ring true to who she was and who she will remain for eternity.
What people didn’t know or see….a scared woman, misunderstood, misdiagnosed, let down (time and time again), a fighter against all odds, struggling to get through each day, pain, fear, guilt, shame and sadness.
To me, Mona, you are and will forever be the ultimate definition of a warrior. One defines that as “a person engaged in some struggle or conflict”. Mona struggled with many demons, not just “some”. So many people gave up on her. While, she never gave up on anyone.
One thing I know for certain is that all of Mona’s friends stood by her, no matter what came their way. That is because they learned that from Mona. Mona was an inspiration to so many. Some that only met her once, some which had the honor to know her very well.
So many people are at a loss now that she is gone. The world has lost such a beautiful and loving soul. Mona would give anyone anything they needed. She always put others first. Her mind went straight to the thought of “how can I help this person” versus the many of our society in how this person can help me. Mona offered so much to the world and she was not just an ordinary person going about her business. She wanted the best for everyone she encountered and Mona demonstrated that time and time again.
There is an endless list of people that had the grace of Mona’s helping; this forever defines her as an angel. Even in her short time on earth, she had a profound effect on more people than others do in an entire lifetime. And for that the world is grateful. Mona will live on through so many of the people she touched.
I spoke to Mona several times the weekend of her death and heard the pain in her voice.
It rips my soul apart to know that she is gone now. We are all at a loss and continue to wonder, what more could I have done?
An amazing woman once gave me this poem and told me it described exactly who I am as a person. And I take this poem and now pass it on to Mona and her soul. The words ring true to who she was and who she will remain for eternity.
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Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. |
Mona, there will never be a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I will always remember you and your kind soul. I know you are somewhere out there in peace finally. I will see you soon, somewhere somehow. Until then, I rise up, in honor of you.
Love always,
Lauren Smith
Love always,
Lauren Smith
An emotional writing in honor of Mona
Lauren Smith, a sweet an incredible person, wrote this moving writing, "to honor Mona and remember her for the amazing woman she was. Mona had a huge impact on so many" ...She sent us this letter on Thanksgiving weekend; we wee so touched.
Lauren, you have our family's gratitude for this moving writing, for this honor. Mona would have loved it.
Thank you. Esther, Alan and Mac
"Haddad" literally translates into "Smith" (from Arabic into English); it is interesting how both girls' last name's are the same, but in different languages.
Lauren Smith, a sweet an incredible person, wrote this moving writing, "to honor Mona and remember her for the amazing woman she was. Mona had a huge impact on so many" ...She sent us this letter on Thanksgiving weekend; we wee so touched.
Lauren, you have our family's gratitude for this moving writing, for this honor. Mona would have loved it.
Thank you. Esther, Alan and Mac
"Haddad" literally translates into "Smith" (from Arabic into English); it is interesting how both girls' last name's are the same, but in different languages.
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