Last week I met with Meshari for the last time. I didn't know until the end of our meeting that it was going to be our last, because he was going back home the next day. I wish I would have known that at the beginning, because I had so many more questions to ask. I don't think I would have carried it out any differently, it is just something about last times of anything makes me feel like I need to make it important. Like there is some set rule that we must somehow make the final times something worth remembering, as if the other times alone were not worthy of memory. Maybe I'm just getting a little sentimental now, but I can't help it sometimes...
We met at Our Spot in Union Grounds, and I was feeling the pre-finals week stress, so naturally I purchased an ice cold pint of Blue Bell Pecan Pralines n' Cream ice cream to silence the anxiety for just a little bit. Meshari said he had a big dinner with his brothers later, so he refrained from eating. What a champ. We mainly talked about him having to take his brother to the hospital the week before (that caused him to have to miss one of our meetings; I suppose that is a reasonable excuse...). He had told me the week he had to make the impromptu trip that he believed his brother had the flu. He had texted me about this at the time, and as always trying to help even in situations where I know I am not at all needed, I tried to offer my two cents, not that I had a whole lot of experience with household illnesses. He said that his head was aching very badly and that he had stomach pains and was throwing up. I mean, I might not be a doctor or anything, according to my calculations and spot-on diagnostic skills, I would say that his brother was indeed sick. And of course, I was right. At the time I suggested that he give his brother some Sprite or any form of lemon-lime soda to try to at least alleviate the stomach pains a little, and to maybe make him some chicken noodle soup or something of the sort, just because these were the things that my mom always did for us growing up. One thing I learned from that was if Campbell's can't fix a tummy ache, I don't know what can, and best of luck to ya! Meshari said he appreciated the advice and said that they didn't have either of those in the house... Well, at least I tried! He said that they were in the Emergency Room for a very long time, which we all know there is usually never anything "Emergency" about the ER... I told him that I had been there twice this semester so far, once for a friend from 5-7am, and another time for me spanning 11pm-2am and it still took forever even with us being the only patients in the area.... He was pretty confused as to why it takes so long in there, and I told him he wasn't alone in that bewilderment. The doctor finally told them that his brother indeed had the flu and gave him some medicine before they were on their way. He was again confused as to why they took so long to just say something as simple as that, and I told him that I wished I could help him... Being in clinicals in high school, I had the opportunity to shadow in our town ER, and I am well aware that there is usually no rush occurring in any part of that area, almost at any time of day. C'est la vie, I suppose!
We didn't have too much time to talk because he had to rush off to meet his brothers, but I did, as always, enjoyed getting to see him. I asked when we could meet for our last two times, and I was sadly informed that they were heading home the next day and that this would be our last meeting. It was pretty sad... I thanked him for being so generous with his story telling and patient with my lack or international knowledge, and I wished him luck with his future schooling. He told me that I was one of the nicest people he has met here, and that he really enjoyed being able to spend time with me and teach me about his country. He said that he hoped I could see Saudi Arabia one day, and that he will keep his promise to show me around if I ever go. What a sweetheart! We hugged it out before going our separate ways. I was really sad.): I am so glad that I had the opportunity to get to talk to such a great guy and learn so much that I would have otherwise missed out on knowing. I can only hope that I can meet more people as kind as he is, and maybe even one day visit Saudi Arabia and witness all that he had told me by a first hand account. So long friend, maybe one day we will meet again.
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