August 4th, 2003

Dear sisters and brothers

Rabih, Sulaima and their four children are finally together again!!! Sulaima's friend here in Michigan called me a little after 12 noon to give me the news. In this day of instant communication, Sulaima had just called on her cell phone from the car as she and her dear husband Rabih were driving the children up to Rabih's mother's home in the mountains outside of Beirut. Sulaima said that the kids were all excited, and kept saying that they couldn't believe their Dad was driving!

The nightmare is over. At least let's pray that it is over. This family deserves all the happiness that our planet can offer.

I want to thank each of you for your compassion, your good thoughts, prayers, presence at rallies, letters you wrote to Rabih and on his behalf, the times you've told his story to family, friends and groups, the emails you've sent and phone calls you've made to try to get justice for this innocent man--whatever it is you've done to support Rabih Haddad and Sulaima al-Rushaid will be remembered. Both of them have said repeatedly that they wish they could meet and thank each person who has supported them through these almost twenty months. Without your help and prayers they don't know where they would be.

Now let yourself enjoy the image of this family together again. See them smiling, hugging, talking, playing, working, sitting down for a meal together, praying together...all of the things we take so much for granted. And while you think of Rabih and Sulaima, be sure to live with gratitude for your own freedom, for your loved ones, for your work and home. It is all so precious.

in joy and gratitude
Patricia Lay-Dorsey