THE CONTENT MUM So there I was once again, my hands soapy and the sink brimming with dishes. I grumbled to myself as my little one cried, "Is this all I have to do? Dishes and diapers? I'm sure there's more to life than this! What else can I do?" As I went through my things to do for the day that question kept ringing in my head, "What else can I do?" I was a graduate with a degree in Microbiology and Genetics, it's another thing that all I remembered about those subjects was just the spelling of those words. I had married young and had my children early. My daughter had just started school and my son was seven months old. If I sent out fliers maybe I could be a tutor. I was good at math, science and even knew Arabic! That would be good pocket money and some satisfaction. I can probably tutor when the little one is asleep! Everything was going just as planned. I had my husband's complete support. I was happy with the fliers he had designed. But my plans came to a screeching stop when my brother in law took one look at that piece of hope and said, "You? Tuitions? Really! Don't you think you are above that?" And in a big sigh I was back to where I started! "What more can I do?" My mind grumbled again and just at about the time that I was supposed to have my first class and student I turned the pages of the newspaper. My large mug of tea sat patiently beside me. As a child I had written poetry and the love for language was still alive inside. I read about the Dubai Press Club, could they be the answer to my question? I had 52 poems on me, I'd written these in my growing years when I had no one to pour my heart out to. Maybe I could have the poetry published or write poems for a magazine. I called telephone directory and got the number for the press club. I spoke to a lady named Sally who connected me to the Dubai Ladies Writing Group. I met them. These women were an inspiring lot. They wrote the neighbourhood news for the local tabloid. Ideas had to be shared. My first meeting was a silent affair where I observed and learnt. At the second meet up I by the way mentioned about an independent charity centre. They loved the idea and I was asked to file the story. I did and on August 21, 2000 a byline was born. It was the perfect anniversary gift that good fortune gave me. My story was the lead piece. There were calls after calls to enquire about the place. I was happy to answer them and my own calling. My husband has been and will always be my biggest support. Without his timely nudges I would have otherwise lost steam. The times that I was afraid to start or didn't know how to follow through it was his feedback that got me to the last word. He lives in his world of reality but never stops believing in my dreams. I took from his name and made it my own. I think I've justice to being his Khan. As we approach twenty years of being one, I look forward to another dream for my soul. Between then and now I have been editor of two magazines, I've written scripts for local TV programs, I've even done a brief stint at a government office developing content for them! My articles have been numerous and for local and international publications. Today I have a page on facebook where I post one liners that people love and can connect with. My journey has been eventful. Tastefully dotted with celebrity interviews and moments of opportunity. But in all the moments that defined me as a writer I did not allow the mum to take a backseat. Yes, I did set out because I wanted to do more than diapers and dishes but my
children are and always will be my first priority. I started my career when most people give up theirs. Today I feel I did it so that I could be a content mum, no pun intended! Life's menu does not serve opportunities. To taste success you need to have the courage to shop at the right places and be ready to sweat at the stove. I may not be the best in my business but I know that I got some things right and that's why I write!