A Strong Woman vs A Woman Of Strength

Al Taqaddum Sand Storms I hated it...... sand everywhere, your Hair, nose, but it was something new, different, nothing like we had back at home. These pictures were taken from my hooch(my room)

Our beds would be covered with sand it was bearable, it was a little bit horrible on our lungs, we kept our noise covered. We weren't out any longer than 10 minutes in this kind of weather. If I had another chance at this I would do it in a heartbeat, this was an experience that will last me a lifetime. I couldn't quite figure out why my hair would grow like wild followers in another country but not at home...... It was the funniest thing.

I've learned a lot from being away from home, I always said: “As long as you’re living you're always learning". My mind broadens after I left home for overseas being this southern woman that didn't think there was more to life than just waking up in the morning and going to work, taking care of the kids, feeding the cat, the dog and then to wake up and do this all over again. I left home wanting more for me and my kids; this was a very good opportunity for me. I'm a whole new different person now, stronger and wiser. I have this new look on life how precious and beautiful it is. Don’t live in the past live in the moment Certain things capture your eye but pursue only those that capture the heart, Although an 'Ancient Indian Proverb' yet Solomon gave the verse its start, Likewise, don’t seek after frivols material things that only make you strong. For Strength is the seed to eternal roots, to remain even after you're gone.

Here I am at West LSA in Baghdad Iraq with my faraway friends from India, Baranikapula Nageshwararao we all called him Ral for short on the left I’m in the middle and Ghonga Mohan is on my right. These men are very humble; I hate to say it if they were to come to America there would be no more humble men. This picture was doing Ral’s big day he turned 37 years old we had a big Birthday party. Something he can talk about for years to come, no one has ever done something this nice for these men. They work so hard and for them to be gone for six years before they were allegeable to visit home. This was something lease we could do. My life wasn’t all peaches and cream this change was way overdue and I enjoyed every bit of it. I've endured so much before and after the passing of my parents. I know we all have been through a lot in our lifetime, sometimes I look back and ask myself "did I or could I have done better". I could only ask God for my forgiveness and hope and pray for the ones I have let down. I have cried, mourn, the been heart is broken and yet I’m still standing with the grace of God live your life at the moment and live it to the fullest.

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