To A Very Dear Friend

Hi!

Today I have arrived in the north of Iraq, and tonight we held a farewell party to a dear dear friend of ours leaving Iraq. This friend will leave on New Year's Day, leaving behind a big un-fillable gap; nevertheless, one would look back and celebrate all of what that friend represented in our lives. Days with that friend are full of good memories, so this is what we celebrated and will always remember, despite the sadness of that friend's leaving us, without knowing when we would be able to meet.

So, to this dear friend of mine, I send my warmest regards and best wishes; and for being older than me, being highly esteemed, and a person of so many favors on me; I follow the Turkish tradition in dealing with older siblings, and I kiss that friend's hand, and put it on my forehead in gratitude; Something that I never did to anyone before, and will never do to anyone after, for that friend's hard working hands for good, are hands that God likes and blesses, as per a Prophet Mohammed's saying.

Goodbye, dearest friend K; keep in touch, and may God never deprive us from you, or your e-presence.