Reflection 64 – My Brother From Another Mother

Early 2011.
Things here in Irvine are going pretty well. I completed my first quarter at UCI receiving three A’s. I am enjoying my new academic life as a PhD student, and I am doing some part-time work at Google from their Irvine office. What more can I ask for? But things back home… Man, they are crazy! Tunisia has just witnessed a “revolution” sending ripple effects in the Middle East. Egypt is trying to find its way in midst of this chaotic scene. Events are erupting in Libya, Syria, and others. From the outside, things are very chaotic, and no one knows how things will end up! Despite this unclear scene, I found myself (along with other Arab students) at the forefront of events. UCI began holding various events for academics, scholars, and activists from different parts of the world, especially from our region of course. Everyone was curious to talk to us to have more “insider” information. One felt special in some respect after we became the world’s talk .
I am used to walking back and forth from campus to my small apartment located around 15 minutes’ walk. Usually, I pass by something called the Extension Center that is a main hub for Gulf students who come to learn English and sometimes end up doing their MA’s or even PhD afterwards. So once I passed by the center, it felt I was in Dubai, Jeddah, or Doha with all the Khaleeji accent everywhere. Before I would pass by the center, I had to walk beside the School of Business. Nothing much to look for as I usually get back home a bit late and therefore there is not much activity at the school other than maybe some MBA students talking here or there. But on one chili evening as I am walking back home, something SLIGHTLY different happened. As I am passing by the School of Business, I hear someone talking Arabic, but this time it was slang Egyptian. Wow! Well, I am not used to this. I can ‘t recall the exact details, but I initiated a brief talk with him, and we later began to meet during prayers time held on campus by the Muslim Student Union at UCI. Slowly but surely, our friendship began to solidify. With a common Egyptian background, we had lots to share. He was yet different as he was born and raised in CA graduating from UCLA and now doing his MBA at UCI. So, in some respect, we were fellow grad students. Shortly thereafter, he would work at UCI. For me, this meant I got to see him more, have lunch together, and exchange fruitful talks about what was going back in the region.
As I mentioned before in several reflections, one of the great blessings I have been gifted was amazing friends. But since I lived mostly in Egypt, all my friends were either school friends or I got to know them during my university years. This was probably the first time to have a real friend from outside the Egyptian realm. As with anything in life, some things stand out. He was definitely someone who stood out for his amazing qualities. I considered him my younger brother (I always wanted to have a brother along with my sister!). I was very happy to see him get married shortly before I left Irvine heading to Doha to join Qatar University.
Despite thousands of kilometers apart, we remained in touch especially since I was lucky enough to visit Irvine once or twice in the years to come. We would always meet, talk, and enjoy ourselves. If this all wasn’t enough, I saw in him great qualities after I was diagnosed with ALS. My very early visit
in 2017 to confirm my diagnosis was partially prepared by him especially that he was able to get me an appointment with one of the top neurologists at UCI. Soon afterwards he would follow some of my medical reports, making various phone calls, and inquiring about different clinical trials. He was one of the first people to respond amongst my friends when I first announced my diagnosis offering his help in every possible way. For the years to come, he would always be there. And of course, when I moved back to Irvine for my clinical trial back in 2019, it was great to be near him again. For the coming year and a half, we would see each other regularly along with our families and some other friends. As I lay back nowadays in the comfort of my bed, I feel I am in good hands with a trustworthy person who I can lean on for anything that has to do with my matters in the US whether medically or financially. I know I can count on him in ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!
I look back and wonder if I hadn’t walked past the School of Business on that chili day, how would my life have played out differently .