I have worn handkerchiefs over my hair before...

I have worn handkerchiefs over my hair before; it was not a big difference for me. Then came the days of wearing the handkerchiefs for 2 weeks, maybe three and going out one damp cold morning without it. It was almost as though I couldnt function. I realized its time to try the full hijaab. I met another sister, Umme (means Mom in Arabic, but shes like a mom to me), from Maryland via the computer. Because I was looking for someone to send me some books, maybe some extra hijaabs.

Bless Ummes soul because I went to the mailbox one morning and got the beloved yellow slip saying you have a box so I went literally POSTAL (no pun intended, yeah right) wondering if it was from Umme or my Aunt my aunt always sends me tons and tons of hair products which I cant get enough of. Here it issomeone sent you a lot of stuff, said the Postal Worker and I look up and to my amazement theres a box as two times wider then me (and trust me, thats wide) and half my height!!!

My eyes open with wonder and shear excitement! I lug the box out to the car and squeeze it into my moms Nissan Altima, which thank goodness is a large car, if I would have had my Saab I would have had to tie it to the roof, and flew home as fast as I could. Its a box of treasures!!! Ma come look!! I cant believe this!! I said to my mother, screaming with excitement almost tearing up because I couldnt believe a person could ever be this generous.

This was my second encounter of the love and sincerity of Islam (of course Maryam). The box contained treasures. Dresses, Hijaabs, Books, Pamplets, Quran, Pocket sized Quran, tapes, and the most beloved and used present of all The Beginners Guide to Prayer. I still have this pamphlet now and its falling apart I still have to use it on the last part of my prayer (where youre sitting) because I dont know all of it yet. I have never used a book so much in my life.

I took out the hijaabs and the dresses and I wore my favorite outfit of all. Now comes the story of hijaab; the best benefit Allah has given to us women. To start the story off correctly I should explain how my mother reacted to me being a Muslim. She at first didnt understand what exactly it was. Luckily I had Maryam to help me out on this one as well.

Her mother, is a revert and she had to go through the same thing I was going through (telling her family) and she was nice enough to send my mother an e-mail explaining and trying to help. She helped a lot; mom was a bit more relaxed.