STILL WORTH FAR MORE THAN RUBIES
Many years ago on 10th May 2011, I wrote a post on my blog in celebration of my mum who was turning 80 years of age. My blog was called “Life’s Like A Cupcake” back then. Do you remember it?
Life’s Like A Cupcake was a chronicle of sorts, a way of ‘self-talking’ myself through a pretty tough time in my life, facing cancer and many other health challenges.
I’m still here pretty much ‘self-talking’ my way through this wonderful life, still as grateful as ever but way healthier, thankfully! And one of the things on the top of my ‘grateful’ list is my mum, who is turning 93 in a week!!
Hanging with Mum, 28 March 2024
To celebrate and give thanks for this amazing woman who brought me into this beautiful existence in the first place, I thought I’d reshare this post.
Here it is…
WORTH FAR MORE THAN RUBIES
Born on the 9th May 1931, she lived a joy-filled and mostly carefree childhood. Her days consisted of playing with her siblings in their quaint mountain village, climbing trees, riding horses and picking olives and other fruits and vegetables from the family farm.
When she was a young teen, she met the love of her life and on the 6th February 1947 they were married. There was much celebration in the village at the union of these two young people and it marked the beginning of their lives together. They were filled with hopes and dreams for a wonderful future, but knew deep down that to make the most of their life they would have to move far away from their beloved Barhalyoun (their hometown in Lebanon).
Her family owned the only wheat mill and olive press in the town, so they were in a slightly better financial position than most people at the time of the Great Depression, and tried to help as many as they could in the years that followed. However, his family suffered greatly in the grips of poverty and hunger, like so many others around them, and their financial suffering continued for many years.
He wanted more for his new wife, so on the 9th December 1947, they got into a taxi headed for Haifa in Palestine (a country in the throes of Civil War), where they boarded the “Partizanka”, a ship bound for Australia. As tears streamed down their faces, they waved and watched until the port disappeared from view, and they would always remember the words, “We may never see each other again, but God bless you and be with you always”.
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| Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1263715) |
Many on board the “Partizanka” suffered with seasickness and to make it worse, she had just discovered that she was pregnant with her first child, so she had morning sickness to contend with as well. He, on the other hand, was strong and healthy, and nothing was going to stop him from eating and socialising with the crew in the kitchen. He would constantly check on his young wife though, who was confined to her cabin, but he needed to get his mind off the grief of saying goodbye to his homeland.
They were on the ocean for one month and six days, before arriving in Fremantle Western Australia, on the 9th January 1948. Then it was back on board for a few more days, arriving in Pyrmont, New South Wales on the 15th January 1948.
She was feeling so homesick, especially when she observed how old Sydney looked compared to her cosmopolitan Beirut! Before long, they moved to a small country town on the mid North Coast of New South Wales, called Wingham. Neither of them could speak a word of English, but he soon found work as a labourer and along with his pay packet, began to bring home some new words each day in order to teach his bride the language of her new country.
Time flew and by 1954, these two youngins had four children under five. He considered her an amazing magician, as he couldn’t believe how she was able to feed and clothe them all so well with the small amount of pay he was bringing home. But there was always food, clothes, safety and a whole lot of love in that home of theirs.
Soon another baby made 5, and in 1957, again realising that they wanted more for their family, they decided to move to the Big Smoke. They bought a block of land in Revesby, Sydney and lived in a shack on it for a while until they could afford to build their family home.
The love continued to grow and so did the family, with another five children eventually added to the clan. They had ten children, 6 boys and 4 girls, who were well-fed, well-clothed and well-educated – but most of all, very well-loved. He declared that not one of his children were a mistake, and she never uttered a word of complaint or regret in having such a big brood to look after.
Although they missed their families back home, they loved their country Australia and felt blessed to call it home. This love for their country they passed on to their children, and to their children’s children; these two proud parents of 10 children, proud grandparents of 26 and proud great grandparents of 6. (2024 update: proud great grandparents of 25 and 1 on the way)!
On the 12th December 2000, he lost a long battle with illness and died in the arms of his beloved wife. She continues his legacy still today. The love of her life will never be forgotten, but in his honour, she lives for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family are the “apple of her eye”, her pride and joy, each and every one.
On Saturday 7th May 2011, a surprise 80th Birthday celebration took place for Adebi Karam Trad (my Mum).
The love of her life, John Goro Trad (my Dad), was not there to celebrate in person, but he was there in spirit, continuing to live on in every one of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This celebration was a tribute to the lives of the two young people of long ago, who sacrificed all to fulfil the destiny of their family.
This is the story of an extraordinary couple, who are “worth far more than rubies”….
Happy Birthday & Mother’s Day Mum & Sitti (meaning Grandmother in Arabic). We are so grateful you are still here with us.
We miss you Dad & Jidi (meaning Grandfather in Arabic).
Thank you both for the legacy our amazing family history brings…a gift to the generations you’ve brought into this world.
We love you more than words can express.
Following is my speech as Master of Ceremonies on the evening…
When I tried to come up with a description of you Mum, these are some of the words that came to mind:
– strong, capable, clever, multitalented, organised, industrious, energetic, generous, compassionate, caring, kind, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, faithful and loving.
Ever since I can remember and still to this very day, I have watched you live your life in such a dignified way, always looking to God for help and strength, and trusting Him in everything.
In Proverbs 31 in the Bible, there is a description of a remarkable woman, who is an amazing role model. I’d like to read this out to you, because I believe you are the Proverbs 31 woman personified and an amazing role model for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren….
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
In bad weather, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate.
Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”.
Mum…we love you beyond words! You truly are an extraordinary woman… You were a perfect match for Dad, because he too was extraordinary.
Thank you for being the best mother a daughter could ever hope for!
Hope you enjoyed this piece of my history … thanks for reading along xx
P.S. I’ll be sharing another story of love at a Mama Creatives event on 7th May, 2024 along with some other amazing speakers. You can read all about it and get your tickets for the event here…
