8 Hard Lessons I Learned That Strengthened My Marriage
I’ve been married to my husband for over half of my life. In those 20 years, there are 8 hard lessons I’ve learned that have strengthened my marriage. These hard lessons have proven to …
5 Summer Fruit Desserts You Need to Make This August
Summer in Michigan brings to harvest some of the most delicious fruits. From red sweet cherries to juicy mouth-watering plums, August is abundant with the best…
How I’m Dating My Teenage Daughter Before Her Senior Year
The family is all gathered on the couch on a weekend evening in the summer. I glance over at my 17-year-old staring at the television and suddenly I realize that my…
The Journey of a Lifetime: My Teenage Hajj Story
This week has been a sacred one for Muslims. The first 10 days of the month of Zul-Hijjah in the Islamic Calendar are considered to be the 10 most important days of the…
What My Daughter Would Tell Friends About Ramadan
My daughter is your child’s Muslim friend. She comes to school everyday in a brightly hued hijab (headscarf) with a contrasting headband. She has been counting down…
Dear Confidence, a Letter to My Long Lost Love
Dear Confidence, You are and always have been the love of my life! A love like ours doesn’t get forgotten, nor does it lessen with time. For 30 years I have pined for you and yearned…
Who Are You? A Lesson in Finding Your Definition
OK Mamas, it’s test time. You won’t need your No. 2 pencils or your college-ruled paper. But you’ll need to focus on the most important woman you know. Ready?…
Craving Daylight: Shining a Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
It’s that time of the year again. The time that creeps up from behind and overpowers me. In my world, fall is not about pumpkin-spiced beverages, hayrides, apple…
The Secret Life of a Fat Mom
It’s the elephant in the room that no one likes to talk about. No, not the mom who has to lose a few pounds. Nope, not even the big-boned mamas out there. This is…
Hellos and Goodbyes, A Letter to My Kindergartener
My Sweet Daughter, What a big girl you’ve become! I remember you trying to hold my fingers tightly when you took those uncertain first steps. Today, you insist on doing everything by yourself. Good for you! Mommy wants to tell you that…
Introducing Tumkeen A… a Troy Mom
Hello, My name is Tumkeen, and I am a stay-at-home mom. I have six kids ranging in age from one to 16 years old. Yes, I’m dealing with diapers and drama, rolling…
Tumkeen, Writer+Poet 