Natalie’s mother was a simple, quiet lady, and all her concern in the world was her daughter Natalie. Natalie was a smart girl who always had many questions and unending curiosity, but Natalie’s mother was emotionally exhausted. The pressures of keeping the home up and other responsibilities, as well as deep loneliness, kept her away from her daughter and emotionally unavailable. She got angry quickly about small things, and Natalie, who always told her mother everything, began to stay silent.

One day, Natalie’s mother got a phone call from a friend who told her about a Transformational Community Development (TCD) group close to them. She hesitated at first but decided to go. There, she heard words that touched her heart. Subjects included how a mother needs to take care of herself before she takes care of her home, how good words change the whole house, and how children wait for tenderness, and if it is too late in coming, their hearts get tired.

She came out of class that day feeling like she had been born again. She returned home and looked at Natalie while she was asleep. She grabbed her hands and said to her, crying, “Forgive me, my daughter. Starting today, I will be a different mother.”

Another morning, when Natalie woke up, her mother said, “Good morning, my soul. Let’s have breakfast together.” Natalie was surprised and laughed her little laugh that her mother had not heard for a long time. From that day on, there was special time between them every day. They read together, spoke, prayed, and hugged each other. Natalie’s mother changed, and Natalie reciprocated her support and joy.

Thank you,

Written by Kerstina and Bassem, GHNI TCD Workers