From Titi to Maryam!
- Categories: Da'wah to Non-Muslims -
It all started on November 20, 1979, the year of the Ram. I was born at Jacobi Hospital, now Bronx Municipal, in the Bronx at around 10:00 pm. I was always a happpy baby, so I was told. But even more so I was terribly mischeivous. Here's a story for you: My mother had to tie my foot to the bed so I wouldn't get away and cause any trouble while she was asleep.
Well, one day I got smart and untied the rope and got to the
medicine cabinet. I took out the Rolaids and started to eat them. I
went back into the room where my mother was and she woke up to the
sound of me chomping. She woke up at a start and asked me what I
was eating. I said "cation" (because I couldnt' say the word
medication yet. She went hysterical. She looked at the pack of
Rolaids and counted how many I had eaten. When she saw that there
was no need for her to panic, she wooped my behind and I never did
it again.
I went on through my life, always teased at school because I was
diagnosed with scoliosis, meaning that my spine was as crooked as a
politician. I had to wear a back brace for 6 years. It was so
humiliating when someone felt it under my clothes. I was constantly
called a robot, for it was made of hard plastic. By the time I
reached into the 6th grade, they discovered that my spine had only
gotten worse, and the only way to correct the problem was to
surgically fix it. So, on February 14th, 1991, they performed the
procedure by placing a rod that would correct the curvage. I hate
Valentine's Day now and I have a ugly scar but I don't have to wear
the brace anymore :)
In the fall of that year, I attended Riverdale Junior High School
in the Bronx. I attended Martin Luther King High School and
graduated with a Regents Diploma and with Honors in June of 1997. I
attended Oswego State University that fall as a biology major. Big
mistake. The program was terrible and I didn't see myself becoming
a Med student as I had planned. I wanted to become an Obstetrician
but thanks to a terrifying freshman year and a horrible bio
department, I was dismissed from school for a semester. I returned
home and attended a community college in Manhattan. I did quite
well and was accepted back into Oswego, this time as a Human
Developmental Psychology major with hopes that I would counsel
children in a hospital setting. I have, since then, been highly
involved with organizations on campus including: AJH Productions,
Gospel Choir (for I was raised Christian), the Caribbean Student
Association, Kenpo Jutsu Karate, etc.
There has been a major change in my life. On June 24th 2000, I
reverted to Islam. As a word of adivice to all who read this: It
will not be easy to revert in a family that has taken you from your
birthright (Islam). It is ALL our life's calling for we are all
born Muslim, we just need to find our way home.I was extremely
frightened to face my parents and feared the worst of what might
happen. But Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has not failed me in showing
His flawless Mercy and Grace for they have taken the news in a way
that MANY new reverts wish they could have had their family take
their new life..
I pray that Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) would continue to bless me
for finding The true Path and may I be the humble servant that I
know I can be. I know it won't be an easy task but, as the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best jihad [struggle] is
(by) the one who strives against his own self for Allah The Mighty,
the Majestic." I have found peace in my life for the first time
ever and Insha'ALLAH, I will son be sharing my joy with someone,
for I have found the other have of my soul who happens to be the
same guide who showed me the Right Path. May Allah (subhana wa
ta'ala) be pleased with our bond and continue to bless and
strengthen us as we walk the Path that He alone has the power to
pave before us.
ALL Praise and Glory due to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) Lord of my
life & Keeper of my tomorrow Insha'ALLAH!
Maryam
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