Last week you left us so that you could watch over us from up above. You lived a full life of at least 90 years.  I never knew your birthday…. no one really did.  It didn’t matter, because you were always able to keep up with us.  Even in your last days, when your memory started to falter, you still knew how to shut us up.  You still knew that we loved you.  You laughed with us and at us.  You thought we were ridiculous with our “American-ness”, I can understand why.  In your lifetime, you witnessed the beginning of the occupation of Palestine and the disappearance of many villages. You raised 7 children on your own moving from village to refugee camp, all while working in the fields.

Your strength intimidated and inspired me at the same time.  You stood 5’10″ and, in your hay day, could wrestle each and every one of us to the ground. A stronger handshake than yours I don’t think I have ever known. You were always quick to remind us of what “wussies” we were. Now that I am older, I realize you were right for I never had the ability to comprehend the power of your indomitable will and faith.  You tolerated the foolishness of our youth with grace.  I like to believe it’s because you knew we loved you. I knew you loved us for not only did you help raise us, but you were always ready to impart valuable lessons. Here are just a few of the things I learned from you:

1) Kindness: As a child I knew I could count on your kindness as you reached in the hidden pocket in the front of your Palestinian dress. You always had goodies and candy hidden there and gladly shared them with all of us.

2) Not to be Wasteful: You HATED waste…. with a passion.  You made sure we were all members of the clean plate club. You never let anything go bad in the fridge. Multiple cereal boxes were like the plague to you. Lucky Charms, Frosted Flakes, and Cheerios all went in to one bag in the name of space conservation.

3) Natural Healing and Beauty Remedies: You had a knowledge of plants and herbs that most people could only dream of.  You could point out dozen of natural remedies easily obtained from plants that grew around us. Nabulsi Soap was what you said kept you youthful and could be used to wash your hair and body.

4) Resourcefulness:  If it grew and was edible, you had no qualms about stopping to pick it and bring it home. Dinner didn’t have to come from Safeway. You cooked, sewed, and gardened.  You were a Wonder Woman.

5) Faith: Your belief in God and his power was never to be shaken, no matter the trial or tribulation.  You held fast to your faith.  In your last days all you did was praise his name with your tasbeeh and pray for all of us.

6) Humor: Your sense of humor was like no other. You had a mischievous laugh and sometimes I didn’t know if you were laughing with me or at me.  As I got older, I found out it was the latter but no one could have earned that right more than you.

7) Affection: You loved to give kisses and gave them with such fervor.  I so enjoyed them, they made me feel so loved. You always sang songs of love and clapped along with your hands.  Your voice is still with me today.

Grandma Fada, your name meant “light” which made sense since your spirit shined so brightly while on this earth and will shine even brighter while you are flying with angels in heaven.  You were a woman of strength beyond measure.  I can only hope to do you proud and embody even 1/10th of that strength. You are a true legend amongst women and the Palestinian people. Your strength came from an indomitable will and zest for life.

Ali dedicated a song to you and nothing seems more fitting.  Grandma’s hands. If I get to Heaven I’ll look for
Grandma’s hands, in the meantime, I will miss you.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. ” ~ Mahatma Ghandi