Today, we were attending a scientific discussion at Al-Rakhawy Foundation, where we were discussing a dramatic work.

The conversation turned to safe relationships, and how even one genuine, secure relationship can be enough to help a person heal.

And do you know who immediately came to my mind?

You, Dr. Samir.

This is what I had been waiting to tell you the next time I saw you.

During this recent period of my life, I went through many difficult traumas, one after another. They also reopened painful experiences from my past. Yet, in the midst of all of this, I found myself becoming stronger, overcoming those experiences, and learning how to heal from them when I allowed my relationship with you to become part of that healing.

I learned so much from you, Dr. Samir. I experienced so much through my relationship with you, and I allowed so many things within that relationship to heal me and help me become better.

And they did.

Thank God, I have been off medication for quite some time now, and, thank God, I am doing very well. This became even more apparent after the trip to Nuweiba.

They were also talking about how beautiful it is to have someone whose presence always brings you comfort—someone whose existence reassures you and makes you feel safe.

Again, you were the person who came to mind.

When you are there, I feel deeply reassured, safe, and comforted by your presence.

And when you are not physically there, you are still within me. Your presence remains with me.

So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart simply for being there.

If you were to ask me, “Alaa, what helped you the most in your healing?”

I would answer:

“My relationship with you, Dr. Samir.” 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Before I knew you personally, I used to hear people refer to you as a “spiritual father,” and it made me happy simply to know that someone like that existed.

But lately, I have become the one saying it about you.

Because I have come to feel it so deeply in my relationship with you that I now find myself telling people:

“This man is my second father—or, more accurately, my spiritual father.” 🌹🌹🌹