From the desk of
There are days when I have to sit down, and take a really deep moment. Stop in my tracks. Make some notes. Possibly reassess and redirect. Time to refocus.
I, like anyone else, ask myself am I doing good? Am I making a difference? Am I being a good person? Am I doing right by others? Do I remember why I began this journey?
I take my strength from remembering my father, thinking of my children and their future, and knowing I’m so fortunate to have an amazing partner, my husband, Jamal.
I always remember every moment that I’ve been given these blessings, and this life path from God.
My Father
He always worked 2 jobs for as long as I can remember. He taught me how to ride a bike (my blue BMX which I loved!). He could take bikes apart and reassemble them. He did the same with cars. Things I wish I had learned from him. Through tears (and I’ve only seen him cry twice), he told me the importance of family, and how our family in Guyana needed us. I recall filling letters with a couple of dollars inside ink paper to send to my cousin in Guyana. He persevered through the breakdown of his marriage to our mom. He kept all 3 of us kids with him to raise on his own.
He started to take really good care of his health. At a physical he found out he had to have his prostate removed due to it being 80% cancerous. His operation went well but his recovery didn’t. Four days after surgery, and in the hospital, he passed away. This was devastating for me. I had to persevere.
My Children
Even though they can drive me bonkers some days, they keep me motivated. It’s not easy raising 6 children (or children in general), but they are ours and we wouldn’t have it any other way. When I think about being the best example for them, I raise the bar on who I am and focus on where I need to be. When I think of one of my children who can be very hard headed, I think of how we need people like that in the world. Someone who can keep on persevering on their path no matter what comes their way. I think of the artist, the historian, the computer tech, the athlete, the philosopher, the scholar, the strong muscles, and that hard headed one who are found in our children. All the qualities I have come to love, and want to help grow in both myself and my children. I remain strong and persevere for them every day.
My Partner. My Husband
There is actually a person on this earth who takes me for everything I am. Everything about me. Someone who loves me no differently then from the first day we met. Someone who has sacrificed for me. Someone who is there for me, even when I don’t want it.
My husband is just…I can’t even find the right words. He’s just everything I need, and would want. Even when I think he’s not hearing me or understanding me, I realize sometimes I’m not really listening. I understand what is in me, and he is there for me to bring out that amazing person out of me. He is my balance. Thank you Jamal for helping me persevere.
Discovering Yourself and Persevering
We need people like YOU! Realize everything about yourself, and your potential. Realize just how amazing you are. Keep on going! Never give up!
Jamal and Khadija, owners of Henna Sooq
Thank you Khadija for sharing your thoughts with us. What a wonderful inspiration and blessing you are.
Thank you so much Andrea! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this!! You make want to try harder and do more!!
Blessed. Missed. Loved.
Love and kisses from Canada.
Xoxox
<3 Khadija, you are an inspiration. Never forget that. Your site lead me to the wonders of henna and beyond.
Fatma, xo sweetie!!
Michelle, thank you so much! 🙂
Awesome post! I am moved by everything you said here.
This is JUST beautiful, so beautiful. It is tough, isn’t it? But you do persevere. I love how you put it all out there, even the hard parts, but you don’t wallow around worrying about it or trying to solve it all the time. The puzzle of life sometimes does not make sense until we have finished living most of it. I am convinced of that for myself, and in many ways, it keeps me going. Because I don’t have to figure it all out in advance. I feel mostly like I know just enough to take the next step, and when I do that, I know just enough to take the next one. And that’s how I live my life.
hope we can hang out at the pool again in 30 years when we can look back and make sense of our lives after we have lived them. And we will have peace that we didn’t know the end before it happened. We trust enough to take the next step, and that is just enough. And BONUS! You had a daddy and now have children and a husband to do it all with. Nothing is better. Love you.
Thanks Tamala.
Love you too Donna Maria!! xo
Beautiful testimony; brought me to tears. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. I read this on a day when I was feeling overwhelmed and your words encouraged me to push through,persevere and remember the big picture……FAMILY!
Thanks Carla !! 🙂 That’s right: FAMILY!