All About My Mom

So grateful!

An Afghan girl embraces her mother (NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan)

My beloved mom’s name is Hamida Rahmani, and this week, I want to tell you all about her. My mom is the best mom I could ever ask for. She took care of us, loved us, and protected us with a strength that sometimes felt like a miracle. I know everyone says that about their moms, but when I say it, I mean it from the deepest part of my heart.

When we had to leave Afghanistan in June 2021, my mom packed 13 suitcases full of everything we would need to start our new life in America. I could see the worry in her eyes, but she kept going, never letting us see her fear. The airport was a scary place for us. We didn’t know where to go, what to do, or even how to ask for help. But my mom, who didn’t speak a word of English, somehow found a way to get us food and water when we were hungry. She held onto those 13 suitcases like they were the most precious things in the world because they were. They held the last pieces of the home we had left behind.

One of the hardest moments was when we found out that the food we packed couldn’t come with us on the plane. My mom had carefully chosen each item, thinking about what we might need during the long journey. Watching it all get thrown away was like watching a piece of our past disappear. But she didn’t cry. She just held our hands tighter, whispering prayers that we would get through this, that we would be safe.

When our plane was called, we didn’t even know which line to stand in. We just chose one, and by some miracle, it was the right one. I think my mom’s prayer had worked!

When we finally arrived in America, my dad wasn’t with us yet. He was in San Antonio, Texas, studying for three months before he could join us. He would send his friends to take us to parks, restaurants, and shopping, trying to make our new world feel a little less strange. But nothing was as comforting as my mom’s homemade food. Her cooking is something special—it’s like tasting love in every bite. Last night, Mr. Will was our guest, and you should’ve seen his face when he tasted her food. He couldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was!

When my dad finally came home from Texas, it felt like the missing piece of our lives had been returned. The joy we had lost came rushing back, and having both my parents with us under one roof was the best feeling in the world. My dad promised us he would never leave us alone again. He had been in the military for over 16 years, helping U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and was often away from home. But these past three years have given us something precious—our dad, who had been missing for so long.

Back to my mom, she’s been through so much, but she never complains. For four months, she suffered from hemorrhoids, and she didn’t tell anyone. She found a doctor and took care of it all by herself. And just when she thought she was getting better, she started having lower back pain. But like everything else, she defeated it. Even though her body was in pain, her heart was always with her family back in Afghanistan, constantly worrying about them. My dad’s earnings barely covered our food and shelter, but he still sent money back home to support them.

Every day, my dad would drive my mom to her English classes. For over two years, he did this, watching her learn and grow. And when she finally learned enough English, she didn’t stop there. She started working at a school in Arlington for five hours a day. But what did she do with her earnings? She sent every penny back to Afghanistan to our relatives who couldn’t find jobs.

And then there was driving. Learning to drive was another big challenge for my mom. I could see how nervous she was, but just like everything else, she didn’t let that stop her. She practiced and practiced until she finally got her driver’s license. The best part about this one is she drove her own car for the first time yesterday, and I couldn’t stop smiling because I was so proud of her.

Mom, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that I am so, so proud of you. You’ve shown me what it means to be strong, to never give up, and to keep going even when everything feels impossible. I’m proud to be your daughter, and I hope one day I can be as strong as you are.

I love you, Mom.