Gratitudes

I am grateful to those who showered me with love and support and those who only showed rejection and carelessness when I needed them the most. Each taught me countless life lessons, and I have grown and matured.

I am grateful to my late dad, who taught me the value of humility, generosity, and restraint. I wish he lived enough to see me as a grown woman; he left us when I was 20.

I am grateful to my mighty mother, who brought me to this life and always told me that I must be strong and never be less than “expectations.”; I am grateful not for the pressure but for the challenges she put me through, where I have been offered countless lessons.

I am grateful to my Aunt R., whose wisdom and insightfulness still guide me even after years of her passing. I view her, alongside my father and her brother, as my guardian angels.

I am grateful to Aunt F., from whom I have inherited all my foolishness and recklessness. I miss her so much; she died in her early fifties before I even told her how much she meant to me, Aunt F. My heart holds endless love for you.

My husband Sam was the first man to ever believe in me and the very person who restored my faith in humanity. I presented him with numerous challenges, yet his belief in me never wavered. Sam, you are my anchor. I felt like I was battling life solo until you entered my world.

To my three sons: Each of you has taught, and continues to teach, me the blessings of waking up every day. I am profoundly fortunate not just to have one, not merely two, but three incredible souls like yours in my life. If only words could capture the depth of my love for you.

I am grateful to my sister Nadine, who makes me feel cherished and valued. She enlightened me to the idea that sisters are the only lovely gifts given by your parents; they aren’t your friends, relatives, or descendants; they are unique souls that resonate with your heart, causing it to flutter with joy. Nadine, you are the refreshing breeze in my life.

To those who caused me the pain, to those who were meant to love me without conditions, to those who unjustly neglected their sacred duty to ensure my safety: From your actions, I derived strength, learned to love myself more profoundly, and held onto my belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. A few harmful moves cannot overshadow the beauty and kindness in the souls of many. For these lessons, I am unexpectedly grateful to you.

Dana Obeid