Category Archives: Family

Learning to Say, “Yes.”

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Marahm

Growing up, I was taught to obey. My father’s favorite words, when talking about child-rearing, were, “Discipline!” and “Obedience!” I was expected to say not only, “Yes,” but, “Yes,” with a smile, or at least with no expression of displeasure. … Continue reading →

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Learning Egyptian Arabic– Yet Again!

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Marahm

The Internet is now bursting with programs to learn all sorts of Arabic, even Egyptian Arabic, and I’ve been reading some of those sites, downloading some of the materials, listening to some of the audio files, and trying alone– like … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, Family, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

I Quit

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Marahm

Last week, I quit the Tajweed class I had joined. I attended half a dozen classes and learned– or, shall I say, re-learned– basic principles of Tajweed. The teacher is an Egyptian woman who knows her stuff and knows how … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, Depth Psychology, Family, psychology, Religion | Tagged | 4 Comments

Another Hallmark Occasion

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Marahm

Today is Mother’s Day. I am blessed to still have a healthy, in-her-right-mind, ninety-one year old mother with whom I live and share household duties and expenses. For many years now she has refused gifts, citing her plethora of possessions, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Home Life, Islam, Life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Physiology for a Five-Year-Old

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Marahm

My grandson Hasan wanted to spend the night with me, so I picked him up on my way home from work. We played on the computer,  constructed a model car together, watched a little television,  brushed our teeth and put … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Family, Health and Medicine, Home Life, Life | 5 Comments

A Sacred Trust

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Marahm

  Yesterday was Friday, and I went to jummah prayer with my grandson. The khutbah was about children as trusts from Allah. My heart squeezed a little when the imam said that children are Allah’s trust to us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Family, Life, Religion | 4 Comments

Hyphenated Names– for Women Only?

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Marahm

I’ve wanted to write this rant for months, and now I’ve succumbed to the urge.   Hyphenated names for non-Muslim  women make no sense to me.  They are long, phonetically awkward, and cumersome to write. They suggest that the poor woman didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Family, Life, Marriage, Rant | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sweet Hasan, and Why I Work

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Marahm

A few weeks ago, while visiting my grandson, he said, “Stay with me, Gramma. Don’t go to work tomorrow.” “I have to go to work,” I replied. “I’d love to stay with you, but tomorrow is a work day, and … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Family, Home Life, Life | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

No Pooping on My Property!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Marahm

Yesterday morning, I noticed a man lingering at the end of my driveway. I went to the door for a better look, and saw that he held a leash, at the end of which a little dog was poking its … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Home Life, Islam, Life | 7 Comments

Do Not Lie to INS!

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Marahm

Fatma first entered the United States on a visitor’s visa late last year. She had recently gotten married in Jordan, and her husband had relocated to the United States after obtaining his “green card.”  At the time, I wondered why … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Immigration, Life, Politics, Travel | 5 Comments