The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman
Must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.

Author: Teresa Mahieu

True freedom don’t come in what we can gain through society, such as, “Freedom of Speech or Freedom of the ‘of’s….” We gain true freedom once we give up… Allowing Allah (God) to have full control of every part of our being… Of who we are. When we reach this point, then, everything will fall into it’s right place and order.

Peace is not found externally within society…. On the contrary, it is found internally through a relationship with our Creator in prayer, reading from the Word, and meditating on the good things that come from Allah (God). Nothing in society can fulfill the kind of peace we need to survive…. Only this comes from Allah.

It was a bright summer day, and Laura Lee and Kile, played and played like little children again.  Wrestling and playing, as they continued like a brother and sister would do.  Stop Kile, I think mama is calling us.  Both of them stopped to listen for their mama’s voice to call again, but they did not hear anything.  So, they continued along the creek bed, skipping rocks under the trees. “Laura Lee and Kile,” whispered through the trees again.  Kile, heard it this time, once again they stopped and listen.   Not sure what they were hearing, Kile suggested to Laura Lee, “I think we’d better go see if mama is calling us.  So, they went on toward home to check in with their mama.

Slamming the door as they entered their home, mama yells from the other room, “Please do not slam the door kids.”  Both of them said, “Okay mama.”  Laura Lee and Kile scooted to the other room looking for their mama, coming around the corner, and looking across the room, their sat mama reading a book.  “Did you call for us mama,” as both of them blurted out the question?  No children, I have been here reading my book,” says mama as she continued to read.  “Well, we are going back out in the woods to play, over by the creek, “says Kile.  So, they scampered along as normal children do. 

While they were walking back down in the same area, it was starting to get dark with clouds building up with a storm on the way.  But not so many that the trees couldn’t throw off a shadow.  As Kile and Laura Lee, was walking back down along the creek, they heard their names being called out again, but only when they were under the shadow of the trees.  They looked at each other, and wondered who would be calling them.  Looking between the trees trying to see if someone was out there with them, they couldn’t see a thing.  As they were looking around, they saw movement way off between the trees.  Kile asked Laura Lee, “Did you see that?”  Laura Lee replied with, “See what? What do you see?”  ‘There is movement over there,” said Kile.  “I don’t see what you see, but you might just being seeing things,” Laura Lee told Kile.  Kile shook his head and thinking maybe he was.  While they were laughing and counting each time the rocks skipped across the water, they watched a rock skipped across the water that did not come from their own hands.  Quickly they turn to see who it was but no one was there.  They ran up behind the tree to hide under the shadow of the trees, and the branches of a tree where they were hiding behind reach its branches down to hide both, Kile and Laura Lee.  As they struggled to free themselves from the tree, two men passed by them. 

Both men were arguing over where Kile and Laura Lee were hiding at.  “They are here, and I want my money from them,” said Tom.  Caleb said, “You are worried about your money, but should be worried about our money.  Part of that money will be mine, Tom.”  “Yeah, but still I want it, and won’t stop until I get it back,” Tom explained.  So, they continued walking through the woods, following what tracks they could, and hoping they would come across some clues.   Kile and Laura Lee, were hiding in a place that would keep them safe.  Once it was clear, the tree spread its branches and released the kids.  Laura told Kile with a rattled voice, “I told you to leave the money there.  But noooo, you just had to take it.” “You wanted it as much as I did,” said Kile.  Kile, bent down to pick up a stick as they continued walking and trying to decide what to do.

It was cold and raining two weeks ago, and Kile and Laura Lee, stumbled on a case full of money.  Not realizing what was in it at first; they took the case, and ran into the woods to hide it.  What they didn’t realize was they were being watched.  The owners of the case was coming back for the money, and seen them pick it up, but there was too many people around to confront the two kids.  Now, Kile and Laura Lee, have Tom and Caleb hot on their heels wanting their money back.

“Kile… Kile and Laura Lee, you both need to come in now for supper.  And I don’t mean ten-minutes from now,” yelled out their mother as she walked out into the woods.  Both of them raced back to the house where they knew they would be safe.  But they had a little surprise when they reached their home, and went inside.  Tom and Caleb, were standing in the kitchen waiting for something to eat, and waiting to find out where their money was.  Tom, carried and deep husky tone in his voice, and was unshaven and rough looking. Caleb on the other hand, had a squeaky voice, dirty with what looked like he couldn’t afford a new pair of britches.  “We want our money that you took from us, and we want it back now,” said Tom.  Both Kids nervous and shaking, Laura Lee blurted out saying, “We don’t have your money and don’t know what you are talking about.”  “You lie little lady,” as Caleb spoke out.  “But we don’t know what you are talking about,” explained Kile.  Tom’s face having a displeased look on it, grabs Kile’s arm and takes him to the door and tells him to look out at that tree.  “You better get a good look, because if you don’t tell us where that money is, you won’t see your family again,” Tom spoke in a furious tone that would make anyone shake.  “Mama… mama,” cried Kile.  Mama started to get up to only be pushed back down in the chair by, Caleb.  “Please don’t hurt him; he is the only boy I have, please.”  With tears falling from mama’s precious cheeks that normally glowed like an angel, this was not the case today.  Her fear for her children had over-taken her, and her hands were tied to where she could not help them.  Please, don’t hurt my children.  I am pleading with you please, as she wept with streaming tears falling drop by drop like the dew falling from the leaves of a tree.

It was getting later, and dusk was approaching the hour, and soon it wouldn’t be safe to walk through the woods.  There was a secret the family held that no one else knew about.  Once night fell over the sky, and the moon glared across the night sky, the forest came alive.  The trees knew what was happening with the children, as they watched them grow up, running through the forest playing like two small kids would do, and now they were in danger.  The trees protected the children from harm, and always helped them when they needed it.  And this was a night the children and mama needed the help from the forest.  While Kile stood in the door way of his home, mama was sitting in the chair with tears falling from her cheeks, Laura Lee slipped away into the back room and out the window to go get help.  Caleb, was too busy running his mouth and not paying attention as usual, and didn’t see Laura Lee leave the room. 

As she ran hard through the forest, the trees gathered around her.  And as they came closer to her, she stopped in her tracks, and looked around the forest of trees as they were shifting their position and moving about across the earth.   Thinking in her mind, she knew she was upset and frightened for Kile and mama, as she left them behind, but she also knew she was not losing her mind.  As the trees moved closer to her, she was scared stiff, and could only watch these trees move when they should be standing still in a solid position connected to the earth.  One of the trees put a branch around her, and gently lifted her up against its trunk as she grabbed hold tightly, and watched herself move across the ground while sitting in a tree that she often climbed in as a child.  The forest came toward her home, and as they did, Kile, was standing outside of the house with Tom.  Tom was tying Kile up to the bumper of the truck.  “Boy, you will tell me where this money is, or I am going to drag you down the road until you talk, “with a snarled voice from Tom.  Kile yelled out and said, “Okay Okay, I will take you to the money case.”  Tom looked at him wondering what this boy was up too.  “You will take me to the money, huh,” asked Tom?  “If you will just untie me, I will take you to the money.  It is hidden out in the forest under some leaves up against a tree,” as Kile continued to explain the details to Tom.  Caleb, yell out the door with his squeaky voice, “I wouldn’t trust that little rascal if someone paid me to trust him.”  Tom turned and looked at Caleb saying, “Shut up and watch mama.  You already messed up with the girl; try not to lose the mama.”  Caleb laughing as he looked back at mama; while telling Tom, “Don’t worry, this mama isn’t going anywhere.  I have her tied to the chair, and she cannot move.”  Tom, just looked at Caleb, and shook his head.

Mean while, slowly, the forest was gradually moving closer to the house.  Little by little they were coming, and Laura Lee was riding in the midst of them on her tree.  She knew she was safe within the branches of the trees.  Step by step, the ground was shifting to assist the trees as they were on their way to rescue a family that lived there all their life.  The trees around the house stood still waiting for the others’ to arrive.  Watching what was unfolding, Kile took Tom on his way to where the money was hidden.  Caleb, stumble slowly behind Tom, with his mouth moving faster than what his feet could carry him.  This is what the trees wanted, as they had Tom and Caleb, on their ground.  While walking out into the forest, Kile noticed the ground was slightly shifting, and seen the tree roots moving.  Looking around he noticed the forest was changing slightly.  And in his mind, he knew he would be ok.  So, he started to take them the long way to the money, giving the trees a chance to gather.  As he looked up into a tree, he saw Laura Lee sitting on one of the braches.  As the three of them continued on their way, Kile went over toward Mills Cliff.  He was already thinking, and knew how to save his life, and his family’s life.  Tom, poking Kile with a sharp object in his back, he continued to walk.  Arriving at Mills Cliff, he turned to Tom, “Look the money is down there.”  Tom looked down and asked, “Where is it?”  Caleb, looking over the cliff, and shaking his head, “See, I knew not to trust this boy.”  “Caleb, shut up.” Tom spoke out aggravated with the whole ordeal.  Kile, stepped back away from the cliff, and the forest began to close in on, Tom and Caleb.  Not paying attention to what was going on around them, and trees slowly closed in on them and pushed them off the cliff.  When they fell to the bottom of earth, there was no movement from them, as Kile looked down over the cliff.  It was over, he thought.  Crying out for Laura Lee, he looked up and with tears dripping from her cheeks, the tree lifted him up to his sister, and they both went back to the house.  Gently, the tree set them on the ground, and they ran into the house where their mama was.  Untying her, they all hugged each other, and was so thankful for the forest coming to their rescue.  But mama asked them, “What about the money?”  “Oh, I turned that in to the police a few days ago,” said Kile.  “You never told me this,” as Laura Lee was confused. “ No, I didn’t tell you, because it was a choice I had made when I took it to begin with, and I knew it was only right to turn it in,” Kile explained.  “Well, it is over now, and we need to call the police and let them know what happened, so we are in the clear,” mama told the both of them.   As she hugged them, “I hope you both have learned a valuable lesson in this, and never take something that does not belong to you.”  “Yes, mama we have learned a lesson,” as they hugged their mama and they all sat waiting for the police to arrive.            

                                                                                                                Written by, Mary E. Tawfik
                                                                                                                                July 2010
                                                                                                                                Copyright February 6, 2013

Letting Go
The sky is grey,
while a mother prays.
She reaches out,
without a doubt.
Holding close the one she loves,
softly as feathers of a dove.
As the palms of the Master’s hand,
holds the falling tears.
She reaches out; releasing her fears,
Grabbing hold of the Master’s hand.

All rights belong to
Mary Tawfik
August 14, 2010

     When two hearts join together as one across the miles of land and water, we don’t know what we will encounter.  I find it to be the greatest test of all with our faith, our faith in God,  what He can do, and what we can learn through it all.

     There is no room for secrets in what one does or thinks, as trust is a crucial aspect to the relationship.  There is no room for games as everything hangs in the ballets of the future, and if a relationship is going to survive the miles of land and water, there must be sincerity in everything.

     The heart of two people may not touch physically, but oh, how the forces allow them to touch in so many other ways beyond the human hand.  There is more to a relationship than the physical side… A true relationship with love goes so much deeper than physically touching or seeing…  But what happens internally never fades away… and if allowed, will last forever.

     Thanks to technology, the world is smaller.  But in it, I hope the heart is stronger and can endure the challenges that cross the path.  Mostly, we never expect or know what our future holds for us and the people that move in and out of our life…  We are never prepared for that one person to fill our life through the technology of the world, but it does happen.  And when and if it does, we can be sure that it was no accident, and our Lord God had control of the events of each heart.

Introduction to this short story.  I wrote this in honor of, Egypt.  This one trip changed my whole outlook on many things…. Changed my life.  And during my university work, I had to write a short story that changed my life.  Many events of my life have changed, since this trip.  But the one thing that never changed, and I hold dear to my heart is, Egypt.

     Looking over Egypt through the window of the plane, I counted the time to my arrival.  Excited but a little nervous, I could not wait to land.  Lights covered so much of the ground as there were many towns and cities mapping its path through the country.   It was a 33 hour flight, and finally I hear the call to buckle the seat belt as we were going to land.  After landing, the doors opened and we were free to leave.  I stepped outside the door into the cool breeze as I walked to the airport.  My eyes gazing at everything around me, I was ready to meet the man that I would marry in a few days.  Not sure of the process, watching everyone, and doing as they did, I got through customs with no problem.  Looking for my fiance, I see a hand waving in the air, and my name being called out among the crowd.  “Mary… Mary….”   As I walked toward him, his smile was growing bigger and bigger. We hugged, talked over a cup of coffee, and we got a bus to the hotel. 

     By now, it was 3 am, and I was so tired, but not in the way of sleepiness.  I was tired from sitting for a long period of time.  Being escorted to my room, as Kamal, my fiance, and I could not be alone, I put all my things in the room, and we left the hotel.  Walking through the streets of Cairo was like walking back into history.  As the sky began to lighten, I began to hear one of the most beautiful sounds that I have ever heard, and it was the call to prayer.  It was echoing through- out the streets as people were going to the mosque or a place of prayer.   We continued walking until the sun was up and over the sky, the streets were busy with people, bread baking along the street corners, and I was growing tired.  Kamal and I, walked back to the hotel, and he looked to me and said, “Good night, I will be back around 11 am.”  I smiled back at him and said, “Okay.  I will be up and ready.”  “Do you need a wake-up call,” as he questioned my ability to be able to wake up?  I agreed with him as the excitement and being in new surroundings was beginning to wear on me a little.  And we went our separate directions to get some rest. 

     Very prompt, Kamal was back at the hotel within a couple of hours, right on time, and not a minute late.   Leaving the hotel we walked through the streets of Cairo, looking around like a child in a new candy store, I was amazed how people were always smiling and laughing while walking along their way.  I thought to myself, while looking around at everyone, and said to Kamal, ”Life is so simple here.” With the day coming to an end, we went on to his family’s home.  Everyone greeting me with hugs and kiss, even those in the streets as they knew I was American, was at times over-whelming.  Spending time with family, I noticed how unique it was to see people from families in their home serving us from trays.  Everything was so proper and right, and once I was served my beverage of choice, I could not leave until I finished it.  With time moving so quickly, it was already 2 am, and we were on our way back to the hotel.  I gazed at all the buildings, the streets, the cruise liners in the Nile River, and busy hiding from the taxi drivers as we wanted to walk.  See, there was something about the taxi drivers; they loved foreigners that didn’t speak their language.  This made it easy for them to make a little extra money.  Arriving back at the hotel, Kamal, looking at me and said, “I will be back around 9 am, ok?”  And I greed with him, and that closed the night. 

     Here I am, in a strange place and yet feeling like this was home.  I was falling in love with a place that so many only get to see in the books or TV.  My dream as a young child had come true, and I was in the midst of all I dreamed of.  Reflecting on the day, I gave thanks to Allah for allowing me this opportunity.   Looking at the time, it was already 4 am, and with a full day ahead of me, I needed to get some sleep, so I turned out the light.

     With time going so quickly, it has been ten days now.  It is our big day, we will sign our dowry, leaving our finger prints on it, and completing our process of marriage.   I was so excited!  With so much to do before this event, we didn’t have time to do a lot.  Relaxing for the remainder of the day, we went to the cafe for hot tea and coffee.  Later, went over to spend time with family.  During the evening, we decided to go to the market place.  I was so excited!  A market place is like a huge flea market, but holds the same look as it had many centuries before.  I was amazed how history still had a grip on Egypt.  Hanging on to my husband’s arm, we laughed, and he showed me many things.  I smile at him, and kept asking what the people were saying.  And he would laugh while explaining.

     The next day, he asked me if I would like to go see the pyramids.  With a smile and the words uttering from my lips, “Yes, I would love to go and see them.”  So, we caught the bus and were on our way.  The drive seemed long as my eyes caught everything while on our way; but in reality it was shorter than one would expect.  As we approached the pyramids, there stood the most magnificent sight one could ever lay their eyes on.  Thinking to myself, this is so awesome!  Walking around them, riding the camel, and having a cup of mint tea in Giza, we watched the sun set behind the pyramids.  Surrounded by camels, buckboards pulled by a team of donkeys as they are bringing the produce into the cities, and all the dusty roads, I knew I was living history as we know it in our school books.  With the day ending again, it is now 2 am, and it was time for me to sleep. 

     With our days filled with much walking, enjoying quiet times having tea and Nes Café at the sidewalk cafes , as most cafes are on the streets to make it easier to mingle with the people and passer –byes, I knew my days were coming to an end for now.  With my flight upon me to come home, it was getting so hard.  Tomorrow, I was leaving for my country, and I didn’t want to go.

 Realizing later after coming home, this might be my country, but Egypt will always be my home.