Hint: I’m the only one smiling.
In this picture I was in first grade. The same age as my daughter now.
This was taken in Iran where I spent the majority of my early years.
The emotions I feel when I look at this picture are very deep. I have often felt this part of my life didn’t actually happen and then to have proof feels oddly validating. It did happen and at the time I remember I was excited. Excited to wear the hijab, to go to school, to learn to read and write. I was exceptional at penmanship, I wish I kept those journals. But my excitement quickly turned into anxiety and nausea as the days passed.
The interesting part was I didn’t feel I belonged there. And when we came here I felt I didn’t belong either. Always trying to find my place. There’s a piece of me that will somehow belong somewhere in the middle.
I have so much gratitude for the hardship my family experienced to get me out. Gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me into who I am. And now even more for the life I get to give my kids.
I can’t explain “freedom” with words because it still won’t be as powerful as how it feels to be free. ❤️
10 months agoamy.insta.amy
You belong in my heart. I believe most Immigrants, especially the well adapted ones feel even more out of place. The ones that stayed close to their roots still have a strong a sense of belonging, or at least having a very good idea of where they belong. For us who tried to acclimate, absorb and adapt to the new culture, it’s always just scratching the surface. I can enjoy the food, I understand the cultural references and find them funny, I can recognize beauty in new traditions and holidays, but it always has an underlying sense of being an imposter. Anyways, there are a million ways we don’t belong, but we only need one thing to accept and celebrate each other, and that’s the courage to always choose authenticity. I’m so glad to have you on this side of the world.
2 years agodaniella_alkobi
I love this ❤️ Have you read the book life as a visitor? I didn’t grow up in Iran (was born along the way to US) but it still really resonated. Really amazing what our families went through to get us here.
2 years agophilipanthonymangan
I love this ❤️. Thank you for sharing this story / your journey. Crazy how we can know so much about each other but so little because of the different paths our lives take over time. Well i will say I can’t wait to see that same smile when we cross the finish line on the next journey TSP! Keep being the inspiration that you are!
2 years agoanamccabeyoga
I can only imagine the what if’s that go through your mind….. how long were you there? I want to hear more. My mother in law was a school teacher there in the era of the Shah…. There was no hijab then and it was a different era….and when his regime collapsed he fled to Cuernavaca Mexico.
2 years agolowimpactfit
I think that is the feeling of most migrants. Not really quite sure where exactly we fit in. What great memories to have. As someone who grew up in a Chrislum country it’s interesting how we would often wear hijab or (headscarf as we called it) because we felt it made the Muslim girls look more beautiful so we did it too.
2 years agoshadinaz13
Ah that’s how I will always remember you!😍 and spot on with the “not belonging” feeling that I only know too well!🫶
More posts
