Why Some Dreams Never Leave Us
Writing has always been something innately important to me. As a kid, I devoured books and spent endless hours in the school library talking with the librarian about stories. I entered writing competitions, tried to connect with authors, and felt fascinated by the genius of writers. How did they make words come to life so meaningfully? My biggest dream was simple: to join the world of those wonderfully published authors I admired so deeply.
What Life Doesn’t Warn You About
Then life happened. Isn’t that how it always goes? You grow up and suddenly reality hands you a few sharp lessons. As an Arab girl growing up in Europe in the 80s, I had more than my fair share. I never had the right documents, the right visa, or the freedom to cross borders the way I wished. All I can say is that my dream of studying journalism and creative writing slipped away, not by choice, but by circumstance.
That door closed long before I was ready to let go of it.
A Detour That Became a Foundation
With little time and limited options, I enrolled in the newly opened Swiss hotel school in my hometown. Strangely enough, this new path gave me gifts I never expected. I learned how to run a business, how to communicate, how to build connections, how to lead, and how to bring out the best in others. These were not the lessons I thought I needed, but they became the foundation of the person I grew into.
The Dream That Refused to Die
The years moved quickly, fulfilling careers, part-time work, full-time motherhood, and a life that was always full.
But the dream of becoming a published author never truly died. It simply drifted into the background, becoming something precious I held quietly, like a little reminder of what once felt possible.
The Blog That Reawakened Me
About ten years ago, on a whim, I started a blog called Family Encourager. It became a place for my thoughts on family, motherhood, social issues, being a wife, and being a daughter to aging parents. I wasn’t consistent or “blog savvy,” but the few who read it told me I was saying what many were thinking.
It reawakened something inside me.
It felt like coming home.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed the creative part of myself, the part that loved letting words flow freely.
Searching for the Key… Until Life Handed It to Me
As my children grew and I gained a little more space to be myself again, I kept searching for a way back into writing. But no matter how hard I tried, I never found the key that unlocked that old dream.
Until COVID arrived and forced us all to pause.
The Year That Changed Everything
I had looked forward to 2020. I was turning 50, excited about a big celebration and maybe a girls’ trip. My son was turning 18 and graduating from high school. With all the bittersweet emotions, I was the proudest mom and could not wait to celebrate him.
Then the world stopped.
No one could have imagined a pandemic of that scale.
COVID was undeniably difficult for humanity. Lives were lost, livelihoods shaken, families separated, normality upended. Yet for me, it was also a time of quiet reflection. A stillness I had never allowed myself before.
A Garden That Became a Sanctuary
While my family faced their own struggles, I often found myself retreating to the garden with our dog Snowy. Was I running away from them? Ask any mother, and she will probably say yes with a guilty smile.
But that garden became a sanctuary.
For the first time, I noticed the world around me, the birds, the ducks, the rabbits along the man-made lake behind our home. What once seemed uninteresting suddenly felt peaceful and alive. Even Snowy, who was always over-excited by everyone around the lake, now sat calmly in the sun as if she, too, understood the stillness.
The Story I Never Planned to Write
As lockdown continued, we all tried to stay entertained indoors. And it was during this time that the urge to write came back, unexpectedly.
Not a novel, not the book of short stories I used to imagine, but a children’s story about how Corona helped keep the earth clean. A sweet tale of Snowy and her friend Zoey the butterfly as they met other animals and learned how the world was healing.
It was meant to be a hobby, a tiny creative outlet.
Until I shared it with my family.
They didn’t just like it; they pushed me.
Suddenly, the tiny spark grew brighter, and for the first time in decades, the dream felt close again.
Here’s Where Everything Clicked
I knew nothing about illustrating or publishing a book. Beyond reading, I had no experience in the industry. But then something magical happened.
Helena, the daughter of a dear friend and a talented young artist, offered to illustrate the story. She poured her heart into the drawings until it became a beautiful picture book.
It felt like a magic wand had appeared from the universe.
In October 2020, we self-published Snowy and Zoey in a New World. I expected it to sell 20 or 30 copies to family and friends, a sweet story for the grandchildren one day.
But instead, it became a No. 1 bestseller, won a Canada Book Award, and received features and interviews with the World Wildlife Fund, radio stations, and What’s On magazine.
All that in just the first six months.
The Dream That Circled Back to Me
Since then, wonderful serendipitous moments have continued to guide my author journey. I’ve now published three books and translated one into Arabic.
The dream I whispered to myself as a child, the dream I thought life had taken away, became real.
It carried me to a joyful place far beyond what I imagined possible.
If You Remember One Thing…
Never give up on the dream you tuck quietly inside your heart.
If I could do it at 50, anyone can do it at any age.
Believe in magic, because it might just touch you when you least expect it.
Have advice for moms or a personal story to tell? We’d love to feature your voice on our blog! Share your experiences with us here! We’re always excited to welcome new perspectives and stories from moms like you!
