For as long as I can remember, I’ve found social constructs amusing. How Society loves to set timelines for when we should reach certain milestones—graduating, getting married, having kids, or achieving career success. If we don’t hit these marks within a “reasonable” time, we start to feel like failures.
I’ve worked hard over the years to avoid viewing my life in this manner, but it can be difficult at times.
Especially when everyone else seems to be ticking off those milestones, and you feel like you’ve been stuck in one place for far too long.
It’s as if I’m worried, but I’m not. I’m worried that I would be left behind and then I’m not because I know that if it doesn’t happen now, it will at some point. If that makes any sense at all.
Now, you might wonder what this rambling has to do with anything. Well, a few months ago, my grandmother achieved something extraordinary. At 78, she not only completed her Quranic Walimah, but she also wrote and published not one, but two books.
Do you see the significance of that now?
Why would a woman her age be interested in writing books and attending “ile kewu” (Islamic school)? And why didn’t she do it when she was younger? The truth is, writing about twins has always been a passion of hers. To finally fulfill that dream at her age? It’s nothing short of remarkable. I feel honored to be associated with such a resilient woman.
Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s not about how long it takes to achieve something; it’s about when you do it.
You know how you don’t always realize how amazing you or a family member’s accomplishments are until you share with someone else? That happened when I told a colleague about my grandma’s books. She was blown away and couldn’t stop praising her resilience and determination. The fact that she didn’t let age define her or hold her back from pursuing her dreams is truly inspiring.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes; as long as you’re making efforts to achieve what you’ve set your mind to, you’ll get there regardless of what society says.
So here’s to my Grandma, and Cheers to shattering social constructs!
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