Take a lemon and make lemonade Six words that resonate within me more now that you're gone. The strength of one black woman within me is strong. What a blessing you were too many, but me oh Allah - I won. Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother, and then you were gone. The strength of one black woman within me is strong. You pressed upon me - God is one, and I've walked in your footsteps since I was born. Your struggles were real, but you made it through - leaving behind six grandchildren to follow through. The strength of one black woman within me is strong. The plan was set; you taught me well - I wear empowerment like a proud lapel.

To step outside your shadow is my promise to you - but first, I have to learn my value which is all new. Take a lemon and make lemonade - I hope these six words resonate with you.

I have the strength of one black woman to help me get through.

Being raised by my MOM was a blessing. She knew what I needed before I did. She knew my superpower -  resourcefulness (Wajid). I've been in her shadow and never wanted to leave. Since I could remember, she's constantly told me, "take a lemon and make lemonade." She encouraged me with every idea I had, using those six words when things got challenging. Those six words allowed me to build a community for Muslim Mothers.  She has left me the support she knew I needed, a community. Without this community, I don't know how I would have gotten through my grief. Her legacy lives on, my Honoring Role Model.  

I didn't realize how much of an influence my Mother had on me until she passed in 2016. But then, it all made sense. I had functioned in a safe place in her shadow all my life. She was my soundboard, and now I had to learn who I was without her. The amount of respect I have for my Mother can not be put into words. But, as I reflect on my drive to support women, it is fueled by watching her struggles and her triumphs. After marriage, I felt grown until I became a mother. I had moved to a different state, miles away from her. Without my Mothers physical support, I knew I needed a community. But, I knew there had to be other Moms like me, miles away from family, wasn't raised Muslim, balancing work and family,  just needing support and resources. After the birth of my second child, my Mother supported me as I planned out MOMNetwork. She even took a vacation from work for a month to help run my first summer camp because I had a full-time job. I watched her not just say but do - take a lemon and make lemonade. A simple phrase she shared with me all my life, now allows me to push through some of the most challenging situations. She knew my superpower - resourcefulness (Wajid).