Sisterhood

In the years since I took on the role of raising my sons alone, without their father, I’ve been blessed with the unwavering support of a select few friends who’ve formed part of my inner circle and kept me strong and hopeful. Whether it has been their kind words when I needed to hear them most, or practical help with gifts or ideas about work, all these things combined have helped prevent me from drowning in despair, Alhamdulillah.

My own sisters, each in their own capacity, have been pillars of support too. After all, they know me the most. Had it not been for the fact that from day to day, week to week, month to month, these gracious souls have given me a bit of themselves selflessly, I would not have remained optimistic and determined to soldier on. We often think that money will solve all our problems. However, any wise person would know that’s not remotely true. Money can’t buy family and friends; it can’t prevent illnesses and too much of it certainly brings more unwelcome burdens.

What good would money have done for me when I was in the darkest depths of my sorrow? It wouldn’t have restored my life to the way I wished it had remained. Although money goes a long way to alleviating some stresses in life, it’s not the panacea many fools think it is. I would argue that a strong faith in Allah is the panacea to problems because it is through that lens that everything in life becomes manageable and intelligble. And within that, He puts some special people who help facilitate that navigation process.

I’ve learnt that, on the balance of things, the blessing my female friends and family have brought me, invariably outweighs what one man could have done for me. Although I did feel very privileged to have existed in a congenial marriage, it had run its course and an alternative to it had to be found. That’s where my friends inadvertantly stepped in and have remained ever since.

Alhamdulillah, for them all. They have no idea they are priceless treasures who have been dependable and trustworthy. I have no intention of swapping my status quo with them for anyone else.