Lena answers her phone with the air of someone who is tired and forlorn. She speaks with a knowing that what I am saying is heard but really of no consequence to her. I ask her what is the matter and she answers in a monotone voice that she is feeling great sadness for her country Syria and worried about her brother and friends who are doing their compulsory army service.
Her mother is finding great difficulty affording the basics of food. The townsfolk cannot travel outside of their village for fear of being ambushed and killed. Her children's stepmother has become her friend and her household is provided for.
A village has been attacked and relatives killed.
Sorrow and heartache fills the air and only broken by the laughter of innocent children delighting in their simple pleasures.
Lena writes diligently on her face book about the atrocities occurring daily in her beloved country. Her words are read by many heartbroken Syrians living in different countries and together they grieve.
When will it end ? She prays daily for her family and country.
Meanwhile she turns on the TV and listens to the world news on her local channel. She hears reports than conflict with the news from her homeland on her satellite TV.
She spends her days tirelessly typing and gathering information. Her girls miss their mother. Her mind is far away and she tires easily. The stress is taking its toll. I ask her out for coffee and she walks metres in front of me, unaware of our friendship. She is alone in her thoughts and has little to offer.
Dear Lina, my heart aches for your unhappiness because it is a sorrow carried by many during this time of war.
She cannot let this heaviness overwhelm her as her children look with longing for a mother who has left them and they wait for her return.