Archives for July 2011

On bare quiet feet she slipped out of bed, went downstairs, turned on the light and put water on the stove to boil for tea, then sat down at the kitchen table. When the water boiled the pensive woman made herself a cup of Constant Comment then sat down to think. Tense with the anguish of spiritual struggle, thoughts whirled around in her head. Time crawled as she sat sipping and thinking. The sneaky morning light started to steal into the kitchen, as she sat there still wide awake. As she noticed the dawn, she pushed herself up, then went upstairs to shower and get ready. Time crept.

Excerpt from the book Caring For Eleanor by @SalmaKeir

“You do not have money, Mikel.”
“That’s because you spend it before I make it.”
Mikel had no money besides his substantial earnings. He told her if she was truthful, she should take her name off the credit cards and the house, calling his wife a gold digger keeping him broke and spending all his earnings.
The fight escalated. Scorched with the hurt of indignation, Salma sobbed while Mikel accused her of ruining him financially. They had this argument several times before. The angry blood burned in his face making him bitter while she cried, without hope. He reminded her, she contributed nothing to the household, that she was not helping and how sick and tired he was of supporting her.
Salma so wanted but could not, remind Mikel that she worked while he went to school. That she typed his Masters on a typewriter, and his Doctorate on a word processor in the old days. She could not remind him that she was there all along when he only made $300 a month as they worked together to build their future. The distraught woman did not remind him, that she worked in a sewing factory in the South while he went to school, supporting his studies while avoiding worries about food and rent. Low and unthinkable reminding him that she worked as an evening waitress after their first born; so she could attend her child during the day and not resort to a sitter.

Excerpt from Caring For Eleanor

What does it take for a woman to leave a husband she loves? Why should she leave if she loves him? It always was that way, I loved him. His love for me was expressed in anger, control and irritation at my own stupidity.

Does that sound like love? No it does not. It took time and eye opening discussion and experience to realize the need to leave. Love is kind. Love is patient. How patient should I be? When is enough, truly enough?

I met Eleanor, an older woman who during my time caring for her health and body, she cared for my mind and heart. She shared her life and heart with me allowing me a glimpse into a better life. She encouraged and supported me and I felt her love push me to a safer and happier life.

Salma Keir

Grey areas were foreign to me. When I was going through hard times with my husband, I could not see beyond what is right and wrong in my own mind.

My job got me caring for an older lady who opened my eyes to some truths that could go both ways. What does it take for us as women to see a bad relationship we are nursing? What does it take for us to leave a bad situation?

Eleanor kept at it! The old woman kept talking and whispering in my ear. She did not push or suggest, she just shared her own life and thoughts. She guided me with an invisible kind hand to free my soul and heart from an oppressive marriage.

Salma Keir