After being a stay at home wife and mother, I felt that my mind was becoming rusty and dull. Once I was driving my children to college I spotted a big sign at the Freeze building that said “School of Social Work.” On my way back, I stopped in to see what was required in order to be a student at the school. I was told I needed an undergraduate degree and previous volunteer work. Little did the counselor know that I only finished grade seven and was retained in the fifth grade.
I never gave up, although my heart always revolved around the family first. I started volunteering at agencies that works with families and children. When I was in Palestine, I was a member of “The Woman’s Association of Child Care.” I used to help families without a degree. My happy childhood and my upbringing helped me to believe in prevention. That’s why I was eager to get only an associates degree and go back and help families at least with a degree.
With the blessing of God, my husband found a job at U of M in the Near East department. He was so excited and he gained his dignity back. For me, I felt that I was on top of the clouds. In the U.S you can study at any age.
It wasn’t easy for us to adjust to this different culture, different language, different schools, and just a very different way of life. I remember my youngest son telling me that he was torn between the two cultures.
As the family began to settle into their new life here and when my youngest turned nine years old, I told my husband that I wanted to pursue my education. He disagreed with me. During our 26 years of marriage, I never went against his decision because he based his mature, educated decision always on what he thought was best for the family. This time was different. I was a person and my opinion counted too. There was a fire growing inside me, but with a calm voice and with emphasis, I said “no, I don’t agree with you.” After that I went to my room and congratulated myself for my courage to tell my husband “no” for the first time ever.
