The Story of Mariam
Growing up, I felt abandoned. My parents separated when I was nine, leaving a hole in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. That early loss shadowed my childhood and shaped my adulthood and how I saw myself, how I related to others, and how I navigated the world. Neglect and abuse followed me, and by the time I reached adulthood, I struggled to form meaningful relationships. I often felt isolated, trapped in fleeting connections that left me lonelier than before. Some days, the pain became unbearable, and I entertained thoughts of self-harm, feeling that no one could understand the depth of my despair.
One day, I realized I couldn’t carry this burden alone anymore. That’s when I reached out to Arab Woman Today (AWT). From the first session, I felt seen, understood, and safe. The AWT counselor created a space where I could finally speak my truth, share my pain, and confront the memories I had long buried. They listened with empathy, validating my experiences while reassuring me that healing was possible. For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope.
Through counseling, I began to untangle the impact of my childhood. I learned to identify my emotions; sadness, fear, anger, and guilt, and trace them back to the events that caused them. The counselor guided me gently through my trauma, helping me see that my experiences did not define me, but rather revealed my resilience. Slowly, I began to reframe my story, not as a tale of victimhood, but as proof of my strength and courage.
AWT introduced practical tools that became lifelines. I began taking quiet walks in nature, not just to ground myself, but to pray and reflect on God’s creation, each breeze, each rustling leaf reminding me of His presence and peace. Instead of visualization exercises, I meditated on scripture, choosing verses that spoke to my pain and whispered truth into my heart. Psalm 34:18 became a constant companion: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I learned to set boundaries, rebuild self-esteem, and recognize my worth, not through self-help, but through the lens of being a daughter of the King. Breathing exercises became moments of whispered prayer, journaling turned into written prayers and gratitude lists, and reflection became a sacred space where I invited the Holy Spirit to help me process triggers and restore my soul.
Faith became a cornerstone of my healing. With my counselor, we prayed and reflected on God’s love, finding comfort and guidance in moments of weakness. Slowly, despair gave way to hope, and I began to approach life with a renewed sense of purpose and courage.
As I grew stronger, I began to reconnect with my community. I joined a small women’s group through AWT, where I met others who had walked similar paths. We shared stories, tears, and prayers, building each other up with compassion and truth. For the first time, I felt part of something bigger than my pain; a sisterhood of survivors who were learning to thrive. Their encouragement became a mirror, reflecting back the worth I had struggled to see in myself.
Today, I no longer let my past define me. I have emotional tools to navigate challenges, boundaries to protect myself, and faith that strengthens me in difficult moments. I view myself as a resilient survivor, capable of healthy relationships, self-love, and hope. I now walk with a quiet confidence, knowing that I am a woman of worth, loved by God, restored by grace, and no longer bound by shame. AWT didn’t just support me; they helped me reclaim my life, teaching me that healing is possible when guided by compassion, faith, and understanding.