A carefree child, cotton candy in hand, on a city street. (Credit: Gilles Khoury/L’Orient-Le Jour)
Carl was born in Beirut one morning in the spring of 2010. His parents had spent the five years since their marriage trying everything they could to have a child. His mother walked barefoot to the tomb of St. Charbel in Annaya, where she knelt and wept. His father promised God he would quit smoking if their wish were granted. Together, they flew to Lourdes, drank the spring water, and bathed in the sanctuary’s pools.Then, when they least expected it, Carl finally arrived. They looked at him as though witnessing a miracle. How could they ever deny this longed-for child anything? Their only son was the whole family’s treasure. His cousins, aunts, and uncles were dazzled whenever he spoke. His grandmother showered him with cries of “to2borneh!” every time she saw him. When he was little, his grandfather would sit on the floor to play with...
Carl was born in Beirut one morning in the spring of 2010. His parents had spent the five years since their marriage trying everything they could to have a child. His mother walked barefoot to the tomb of St. Charbel in Annaya, where she knelt and wept. His father promised God he would quit smoking if their wish were granted. Together, they flew to Lourdes, drank the spring water, and bathed in the sanctuary’s pools.Then, when they least expected it, Carl finally arrived. They looked at him as though witnessing a miracle. How could they ever deny this longed-for child anything? Their only son was the whole family’s treasure. His cousins, aunts, and uncles were dazzled whenever he spoke. His grandmother showered him with cries of “to2borneh!” every time she saw him. When he was little, his grandfather would sit on the floor to...
