Ahmed (Explore)
I went to the mall to get a coffee, take an indoor walk, and read my book.
I noticed this man at a table in the food court and thought he would make a good portrait subject. I have been sidelined for the last 4-6 weeks and was nervous about approaching him. Often, that case of nerves is a sign that I should act, not stress.
I introduced myself and told him he would make a good photo subject for my strangers project. He joked that since I had introduced myself, we were no longer strangers. True enough. He said he would be glad to help out. Meet Ahmed.
I said that moving to a nearby aisle in the court would offer better light but I was concerned about leaving his phone and papers unattended on his table. He said not to worry. He does it all the time and it's never a problem. "Most people are friendly and honest."
Photos taken, I said I could explain the project and get his email to send a photo. Ahmed immediately invited me to join him at his table and pulled an empty chair for me to sit.
Thus began a very friendly and interesting conversation.
Ahmed, 73, is a retired financial manager. He was born and raised in Sudan. He proceeded to tell me a bit about his homeland when he realized I didn't know a lot about it and that I was interested. I was surprised by the multitude of ethnic tribes and languages and felt awful about the dreadful war that has been plaguing the country for the last three years. It wasn't that way when he was growing up.
Ahmed and several siblings were raised by a single mother after his father left the family. His mother was a very strong woman and all of the children got good educations and moved into successful careers, his being finance. He quickly advanced and moved to Abu Dhabi where he worked for a company in the oil business before moving into the nuclear industry. From there he worked in London England before getting a work visa to Canada and settling in London Ontario. By this point he held a very senior position in Finance and Human Capital.
He has been married twice and has five sons and two daughters. One daughter is now a neurologist and his younger daughter is an undergraduate at Queen's University here in KIngston. She is studying neuropsychology with a goal of becoming a medical doctor like her sister.
Ahmed moved from London Ontario to Kingston to support his daughter through university. I said she was very lucky to have such a dedicated father. He shrugged it off as though to say "of course I would be helping her."
I felt that Sudan is still close to his heart and that he is very proud of its long history and culture. With his mother now dead, though, he has little to draw him back and his life is in Canada. "My old home and town are now rubble."
In retirement he has written six books, mostly about his homeland and his growing up years. One book is published and 5 are unpublished.
When I invited him to share some wisdom with my project, he thought and then said "hardship can either destroy you or give you strength. Let it give you strength." When I asked how he had learned this lesson, he said he had learned it from his strong mother who told her children "I never want to see you shed tears. When things are difficult, don't cry. Move forward and grow."
It had been a fascinating encounter and our warm handshake told me the feeling was mutual. He invited me to stop by and chat again soon. "I'm here most days. This is my office" {smiling and gesturing to his food court table). "My daughter studies a lot and I like to be around people when I'm writing so I come to the mall often." I told him I have a feeling our paths will cross again.
Thank you, Ahmed, for participating in my photo project and for being so open. You are my 959th submission to The Human Family Group.
You can see more street portraits of strangers and read their stories by visiting The Human Family.
Ahmed (Explore)
I went to the mall to get a coffee, take an indoor walk, and read my book.
I noticed this man at a table in the food court and thought he would make a good portrait subject. I have been sidelined for the last 4-6 weeks and was nervous about approaching him. Often, that case of nerves is a sign that I should act, not stress.
I introduced myself and told him he would make a good photo subject for my strangers project. He joked that since I had introduced myself, we were no longer strangers. True enough. He said he would be glad to help out. Meet Ahmed.
I said that moving to a nearby aisle in the court would offer better light but I was concerned about leaving his phone and papers unattended on his table. He said not to worry. He does it all the time and it's never a problem. "Most people are friendly and honest."
Photos taken, I said I could explain the project and get his email to send a photo. Ahmed immediately invited me to join him at his table and pulled an empty chair for me to sit.
Thus began a very friendly and interesting conversation.
Ahmed, 73, is a retired financial manager. He was born and raised in Sudan. He proceeded to tell me a bit about his homeland when he realized I didn't know a lot about it and that I was interested. I was surprised by the multitude of ethnic tribes and languages and felt awful about the dreadful war that has been plaguing the country for the last three years. It wasn't that way when he was growing up.
Ahmed and several siblings were raised by a single mother after his father left the family. His mother was a very strong woman and all of the children got good educations and moved into successful careers, his being finance. He quickly advanced and moved to Abu Dhabi where he worked for a company in the oil business before moving into the nuclear industry. From there he worked in London England before getting a work visa to Canada and settling in London Ontario. By this point he held a very senior position in Finance and Human Capital.
He has been married twice and has five sons and two daughters. One daughter is now a neurologist and his younger daughter is an undergraduate at Queen's University here in KIngston. She is studying neuropsychology with a goal of becoming a medical doctor like her sister.
Ahmed moved from London Ontario to Kingston to support his daughter through university. I said she was very lucky to have such a dedicated father. He shrugged it off as though to say "of course I would be helping her."
I felt that Sudan is still close to his heart and that he is very proud of its long history and culture. With his mother now dead, though, he has little to draw him back and his life is in Canada. "My old home and town are now rubble."
In retirement he has written six books, mostly about his homeland and his growing up years. One book is published and 5 are unpublished.
When I invited him to share some wisdom with my project, he thought and then said "hardship can either destroy you or give you strength. Let it give you strength." When I asked how he had learned this lesson, he said he had learned it from his strong mother who told her children "I never want to see you shed tears. When things are difficult, don't cry. Move forward and grow."
It had been a fascinating encounter and our warm handshake told me the feeling was mutual. He invited me to stop by and chat again soon. "I'm here most days. This is my office" {smiling and gesturing to his food court table). "My daughter studies a lot and I like to be around people when I'm writing so I come to the mall often." I told him I have a feeling our paths will cross again.
Thank you, Ahmed, for participating in my photo project and for being so open. You are my 959th submission to The Human Family Group.
You can see more street portraits of strangers and read their stories by visiting The Human Family.