Gibran on Mercury, Mira in New York

Place: A crater on Mercury
Mood: Blurred
Song: Don't Give Up * Peter Gabriel feat. Kate Bush

Could Mercury have its own prophet? Or is it the first Lebanese stepping on the smallest of the solar planets?
News is that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has just approved in late August to have a crater on Mercury to hold the name of the Lebanese renowned poet, writer and artist Gibran Khalil Gibran.

Mercury is known for its craters, all of which hold names of deceased authors, painters and artists. These names facilitate the work of researchers studying the planet.


Gibran Khalil Gibran had to move from Bcharre in Lebanon to the US with his family in the late 19th century and that's where he fulfilled his studies and his artistic and literary career flourished. But his heart remained in Lebanon, for he wanted to be buried in his native land.

In mid-August, my dear friend Mira has decided to head to the US and follow her dreams. What I love about her is that once she has an aim, she achieves it no matter what. And now that she's in New York, I have full faith in the path she'll be pursuing for the next couple of years. I don't doubt a single minute that she'll be successful and get the positions that everyone dreams about.

But before that, and I know the road is tough, I'll be taking it next year, I wish she'd enjoy things as they come. She has enough to worry about and hope she'll have a kick at this. And then we, the close gang, will always be there!

"Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up"

Here's what I would like to tell her:
You know you can and will make it, just jump into the waters. They'll be cold at first, but they you'll enjoy them. You can't be a good swimmer if you're afraid of water!

And you know you have to make it because Gibran needs another Lebanese on Mercury. And it won't be just any Lebanese.

Good luck beautiful Mira! :-)