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Eileen Manassian Biography

I guess you could say I'm a citizen of the world. I've traveled....and I've lived parts of my life in Iran, Lebanon, the US, and Cyprus. I am proud of my Armenian heritage. I was born in Tehran, Iran and soon after that, my family went to the States for my dad to work on his MA degree and many years later, to work on his Ed.D. I have a lot of the Middle East and the West in me, and at times....I feel confused about my identity. I do, however, cling to my Armenian roots and am outspoken about recognition by the world of the Armenian Genocide that took place over 100 years ago.

Since my parents had no common language, the language spoken in our home was English. Yes, I am most fluent in English, and I think, dream, and converse in that language, though I do speak 5 other languages to varying degrees! :)

I am melancholy/sanguine by nature and feel everything very keenly. My highs are SUPER HIGH...and my lows...SUPER LOW! I guess you could say...I'm INTENSE. I'm passionate about poetry to the point of obsession.

The events that have colored my life are the death of my mother due to MS and the war in Lebanon. As a child, it was hard for me to come to grips with the fact that my mother was ill, and to see her go from being a vibrant, well-loved teacher to a wheelchair bound, isolated woman was a very harrowing experience. I do believe, though, that there is a resurrection day and that, by His grace, I will see my Mama fully restored...free of wheelchair, able to sing, laugh, and smile again. The war in Lebanon...bombs landing all around, nights spent in bomb shelters.. has also scarred me to some degree.

What I'm most proud of? That would be my daughter...Shereen Natalie Ghali. She is the light of my life. Her name in Farsi means SWEET! :)

Currently, I teach English at Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon. Poetry Soup has been a haven for me....most of the time! ;) I've developed amazing friendships here that are very genuine and real. My dream is to one day have my name on a volume of poetry! One can always dream....Thank you for making the effort to get acquainted. God bless!

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To the Ones I Love at Christmas Time- PS Dedication

Blog Posted by Eileen Manassian: 12/18/2015 6:03:00 PM

Dear Friends,

Before the rush of Christmas takes us by storm, I wanted to share this little gift of a poem. Wishing you every blessings

To all who see the good in me
All that is lovely, sweet and fair
To all who will not see the thorns
and nourish me with love and care

To dear ones who have loved my rhymes
Who with their words have spread the cheer
To all those who have seen and loved
This poetess and call her dear

To all those who have cared to write
About me in their poetry
Who’ve dedicated words to me
And filled my heart with ecstasy

To all those whom my heart holds dear
Who are my sweet and precious friends
I send this message out to you
In it our love together blends

This Christmas time I thank my God
That in my world you play a part
You bring me sunshine after rain
With joy you help my day to start

You must know this and thus be sure
Each one of you, I do adore
My life would not as wholesome feel
Had you not touched its very core

You move me and you make me see
A wonder that's beyond compare
What would I do without your gifts?
I’d surely sink in dark despair

Each one of you, a sparkling light
Upon my heart’s dear Christmas tree
You light my days and shine at night
By giving of yourself to me

And so, tonight my gift to you
Is simple lines wrapped in my love
A very merry Christmas all
My heart now pleads from God above

Good health, and hope and happiness,
and wishes that your dreams come true
This place is like my second home,
so thanks go out to folks like you.

Merry Christmas to al my friends and loved ones here. I'm getting my greeting out a little early before the rush of the coming days. I do want to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of my poetic journey and who has been encouraging and kind to me. I have made friends here who have impacted my life in very powerful ways. I have made friends for life...and a friend is an everlasting treasure. Wishing you all the best as you celebrate with your loved ones. Please...listen to the following song on youtube....You will be touched! It always fills my heart with wonder at the gift that God gave us that night so long ago....

Praise God for His indescribable gift....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMhajmOBr0c

We are the Reason by Avalon

Post Comments

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Tim
Ryerson

Date: 12/20/2015 3:08:00 PM

Merry Christmas beautiful lady and WOW, LOVE your new avatar! - Tim

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/21/2015 11:20:00 AM

Thanks, for that lovely comment here and on FB, Tim. You are a sweetie pie, but you already know that, dear. Wishing you every blessing.

Richard
Lamoureux

Date: 12/20/2015 10:36:00 AM

I like the tree you added.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/20/2015 10:38:00 AM

Thanks, Richard. Thought it gave a nice touch. Hugs

Kim
Merryman

Date: 12/19/2015 10:17:00 PM

Thank you, sweet lady, for this beautiful Christmas poem! Merry Christmas to you and your family! God Bless.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/20/2015 4:58:00 AM

I wish you every heavenly blessing from "the Father of lights". In Him "there is no darkness at all." Be blessed, dear one. You are a source of encouragement to many. Hugs

Richard D
Seal

Date: 12/19/2015 7:04:00 PM

Truly lovely poem and thought Eileen, Merry Christmas to you and all your family. xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/20/2015 4:59:00 AM

Thank you, Mr Seal. I appreciate the visit and the wishes. I wish you the same. I hope that you will find more time in the coming year to post your wonderful poetry.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 12/19/2015 1:21:00 PM

oh gosh, how did I let this blog get past me. I hope you look at me as someone who really appreciates your friendship, Eileen, and I wish you a very merry Christmas and prosperous new year!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/20/2015 5:01:00 AM

I wish you a Christmas full of joy and lots of presents! ;) XO

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/20/2015 5:00:00 AM

Yes, Andrea, I do. I know it would be utopia if everyone got along. I have those who I hold dear and those whom I admire. Friendship mean a great deal to me. Thank you for being a friend. You always make me want to excel in my writing...that's a precious gift. Hugs

Richard
Lamoureux

Date: 12/19/2015 10:08:00 AM

Indeed, praise Him for all the wonderful people he places in our lives. Merry Christmas to all!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 10:26:00 AM

:) Hello, Richard. Thanks for visiting my blog. You are one of those wonderful people!! PS would not be the same without you, and I sincerely hope you never leave!! Also, thanks for the wonderful post on my poem.... :)

Tim
Smith

Date: 12/19/2015 9:34:00 AM

Eileen have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you and your family be blessed.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 9:41:00 AM

I wish you the same, Tim. Thank you for being one of the sweet and kind people on the site. :)

Constance
La France

Date: 12/19/2015 8:37:00 AM

Eileen, first let me say what a lovely picture of you, you are so beautiful. And your words are beautiful too, thanks for sharing ~

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 8:49:00 AM

Broken Wings, thank you so much for the visit dear. I have been remiss in visiting you. I will remedy that right away. Thank you for your sweet compliment. This pic was taken last Sunday after the University Christmas banquet. Thank you, dear...God bless.

Michael
Tor

Date: 12/19/2015 6:43:00 AM

Beautiful touching words Eileen thank you for your loving spirit. God bless you and all whom you Love...

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 7:00:00 AM

Thanks ever so much for the lovely visit, Michael. I do wish you the very same. May it be a blessed time for you. :)

Julia
Ward

Date: 12/19/2015 1:43:00 AM

What a lovely poem! A very happy Christmas, Eileen. God Bless.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 7:52:00 AM

Thank you, Julia. You are kind to pass by and wish me season's greetings. May God bless you and your loved ones.

Charmaine
Chircop

Date: 12/19/2015 12:40:00 AM

A very Merry ChristMas to you and your loved ones dear Eileen. Thankyou for your gift of poetry and friendship..They are both cherished. A big huge enormous gigantic Hug . : )

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/19/2015 7:55:00 AM

Hey beautiful....I wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas. May your hearts be filled with love, joy, and peace. You area blessing to me....Hugs

Eve
Roper

Date: 12/18/2015 9:08:00 PM

Your kindness and presence is the biggest gift of all “Praise God” Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/18/2015 11:19:00 PM

Hello, dear. You are a lovely lady....I hope that you will feel His presence in a special way during this blessed season. I'm sending you hugs and warm wishes, dear. Thank you for your lovely post.

Rob
Carmack

Date: 12/18/2015 6:49:00 PM

What a sweet dedication. Have a Merry Christmas Eileen. God Bless you.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/18/2015 11:19:00 PM

So good to connect with you again, Rob. Thanks ever so much for visiting this blog and for your kind words. They are very much appreciated. I wish you every blessing.

Jan
Allison

Date: 12/18/2015 6:16:00 PM

Have a wonderful time at Christmas and a double celebration when your daughter comes home:-) hugs Jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/18/2015 6:22:00 PM

Thanks, sweetie. You've always brought joy with your visits and posts. Your sense of humor is so needed here. It's an area I'm not so good at....Keep those funny lines coming....and your serious ones too. You do it all so well. Hugs to you and your loved ones, dear.