between hunger and dignity A wido's journey to safty

senses and emotions

She had lost her husband, the pillar of her life. She had five children. They lived a simple life, but one filled with love, cooperation, and tenderness. She returned from her husband’s funeral, dragging her feet, which were too weak to carry her. Her eyes were unfocused, her thoughts scattered. The funeral rites ended, and she made her way home, accompanied by a few of the and mourners who spent a short time with her, consoling her in her grief. The mourners left and closed the door behind them, and she looked around at her children, overcome with sorrow and exhaustion. Some people brought her some food for the children; naturally, she was not in a state to prepare food herself, as is customary in those regions. But when she looked at tried to sleep, she found her husband’s bed empty. It was then that she realized the pain and sorrow would accompany her forever

But he left her a precious memory—a memory that is a gift to her, one she can turn into a treasure of happiness. He left her five children: three boys and two girls. They are a heavy burden; she must protect them from the problems surrounding them. First and foremost is protecting their home; she must maintain it so they aren’t evicted for non-payment of rent. Then there is their education and school supplies, other services, the electricity bill, the water bill, and other essential living expenses. She fell asleep, overcome by grief and thoughts that left her life filled with big question marks.

She has no inheritance

She thought about taking out a loan but she has no means to repay it. Where would she get the money to pay it back?

She fell asleep, weighed down by worry and sorrow, and woke up in the morning

She raised her face to the sky, asking for help and patience

The most important things for her are help and patience in the face of adversity

She went out to buy breakfast. On the way, she met one of her friends, who offered her words of comfort and encouragement. After asking about her and the children, she shyly told her that she had nothing. So her friend suggested that she work to secure a quick source of income that would protect her and the children from the humiliation of borrowing money from others. After she made the suggestion a job, she told her she wasn’t good at that kind of work, especially if it required high-quality performance. Then she suggested she work as a bread seller at a bakery near her home. Ali welcomed the idea, though she hesitated because of how young men treated her, especially those who harassed women.

She told her that she would be exposed to them whether at the bakery or on the street while running errands

She also felt she had to become strong to protect her family and her honor, as her family is her greatest honor and she is responsible for them. She agreed and went to the bakery, where she met the owner, who recognized her and understood her circumstances. He agreed to hire her and even offered her a special salary due to her situation.

He also offered to hire her sons during the summer vacation to help increase their income

And indeed, she started working at the bakery and quickly learned the ins and outs of buying and selling. One day, a friend of the bakery owner came to visit him

This man was a wholesale vegetable merchant looking for someone to sell vegetables at a market stall, and the person had to be illiterate. This was a job that required no capital, as he would bring the vegetables in his truck and deliver them by weight and price, and she would sell them with her children, with all the profits going entirely to them.

She accepted after receiving support from the bakery owner, who told her she would transition from a daily wage to daily profit

After times of loss and times of profit, she learned the lesson well, to the point that she expanded and added a fish business to her trade. The fishmonger comes and delivers the fish by weight and price, and she sells it and returns it to him the next day. She settles the old account and starts a new one. She conducted her business with honesty and integrity, which are the crown of honor for human being. Her reputation spread, and she became well-known in the market. Her success grew when the white chicken merchant offered to open a shop next to hers to sell slaughtered and prepared white chicken. Her other son’s business also grew. The secret is that success breeds success. As for the two daughters, they had the idea of opening a restaurant with their mother, but she refused. . But heaven’s mercy was great.

Two suitors came forward, and they fulfilled the girls’ dream by opening a restaurant—not a luxurious one, but one with a steady clientele. And so, the widow succeeded in reaching safe harbor.