Thanks

There were a few people who were inadvertently left off the acknowledgements page of Sophia’s Journal, so I’m continuing it here!

Huda

First of all,  my dear cw Huda, who not only read the manuscript several times but also listened to me blabber on about Sophia’s adventures from the first spark of the idea to the last entry in the Journal.  She should get a medal!

Sr. Azza

Sr. Azza should also have been listed, as her enouragement and suport were never-failing.  You know, when you tell people you are “writing a book”, many of their eyes glaze over immediately and they adopt a sort of subtle, ‘Yah, right” attitude.  Sr. Azza, on the other hand, apparently never let it cross her mind that I would not succeed.  She always talked about it as if it was already a reality, masha’Allah.  She will never know how much her attitude helped me.

Mom and Dad

Of course my parents also deserve a virtual hug.  They told me from day one I could do anything I set my mind to – even when it became apparent that my mind was interested in so many things i might not ever settle on one!  They lent the use of their printer so many times it’s probably worn down to a nub by now.  Not to mention that they supplied all the toner and envelopes and folders – and eventually binders!  So thanks for all that and thanks for making home still feel like home no matter how far I roam.

*****

Now for post-publication thanks!

Azizah

I lived in Kansas City for 20 years.  Our community was close and the sisters were wonderful.  We threw parties, cooked for new moms, volunteered on school events together and knew we could count on each other.  Then I moved to Damascus.  What a strange situation to be new and unknown!  Not just alone but also suddenly without a community.  I was like someone cutting off my right arm.  The day Azizah said to me, “I want to throw a book-launching party for Sophia’s Journal” I knew that not only did they have a great community here, but that i was becoming a part of it.  And she did it one better, even – she bought a copy of Sophia’s journal while she was in the States and brought it back with her!  The book came out in January and I didn’t see a copy until March when she so generously gave me her copy, masha’Allah.  And the rest of the sisters here are just as great!  What a blessing to have been planted in a new place where it’s so easy to bloom and there are so many other beautiful flowers in the garden.