My Grandmother has left Iraq!

We've been trying for awhile to get my grandmother out of Iraq. What with aranging someone to drive her out that we could trust, to getting the appropriate Visa's and somewhere for her to go. Everything was finally in place. We had the cash necessary, an apartment in Athens near my aunt with visa's to get into Greece as a refugee, and someone distantly related, but related, to us tasked to get her out.

She left at 6am Baghdad time and we just got a text message that she had crossed the border safely into Amman.

Huzzah!

She lived through Saddam, the scud missle attacks and the Iran Iraq War, the first gulf war, the sanctions (which killed my grandfather because of lack of medicine which was being hoarded by Saddam), and the second gulf war and 3 years of occupation. It had never been bad enough to leave. Now with it being too dangerous to go get food, and 1 hour of electricty a day heading into the 120 degree summers without air conditioning, with her life being in danger in a myriad of ways. It's not getting better over there folks. It's only going to get worse. All the 'good' people are leaving. Some estimates have over 5 million refugees in Jordan alone. Entire neighborhoods in Amman are populated by Iraqi refugees now. Things have only gotten worse and worse and worse since we invaded.

I'm just glad that I'll get to see my Grandmother again. Next time you see pictures of Iraqi civilians just imagine if that was your family how you would feel knowing they are there, with almost no electricty, usually no phone, in danger just going to the grocery store, with bombs falling from the sky and exploding on the road. It's civil war over there folks, and there will be no winners, only losers, on all sides.

She has lived through a lot, way too much. I hope that she likes living in Athens.

I cringe at what we have done to that country.

Will she be staying in Athens from now on, or is that only a stop on her way to the US? It would be so nice if she could live a little closer to you than in Greece, but I suppose just about anywhere would be an improvement at this point.

We haven't been able to get her a visa into the U.S. yet, even though she lived here for a few years on a green card back in the late 50s when my grandfather did some work here (he was an engineer). My aunt (father's sister) is married to a greek diplomat though and he used his connections to secure her entry into Greece. They live there now, along with some of my cousins and other distant family.

We'd like to get her into the U.S. eventually as most of the family is here now, but it's proving difficult. We got her out last summer only to be rebuffed after trying for months to get her a visa. It took too much time and her temporary visa's ran out and she had to go back to Iraq. This time though she's good to stay in Greece for the long haul, so hopefully we can take the time and get her into the U.S.

Yet if she had to stay in greece I'd be more than happy. At least she'll be safe there, and have modern amentities like oh...electricity. Plus we get to visit there if she stays. ;)

we are so sorry.

peace and love Ravenseye

but so very sorry she has to leave.

I hope you see her soon.

Though it is probably difficult for her to leave it will be good to know she is safe. Sometimes it's hard to remember that the people we read about or see on the news are human beings... I know I've said this before. But stories like yours make them real.

and for your reconciliation.

To see one's homeland invaded and occupied with such heinous incompetance and hateful insensitivity must be so gut wrenching and heartbreaking.

I hope she maintains peace within.

Athens is beautiful. I hope she savors it and overcomes that which we've subjected her.

your grandmother and your entire family. I cannot begin to imagine what you've all gone through. May her journey continue safely and may you soon be reunited with her.

:hug:

aA

I am appalled to hear how bad things have gotten in Iraq....

I mean, I knew it was bad, but I had no idea it was this bad.....:cry:

What has been done in our name is appalling, horrifying....

Safe journey to your grandmother! :hug:

The Talmud. All the best to everyone in your family.

all the other grandmas, grandpas, grandkids, et al

That's great news! I can't imagine having to watch war coverage with a loved one in the midst of it. :hug:

to hurt it, and other families.

I have often thought exactly like you ask us to do here. The situation is unbelievable.

Thanks for bringing it home to us in real terms, and good luck to your Grandmother.