The Cold North

Sahra Mohamed was a young mother when she moved to the United States from Somalia. She moved to the US with her daughter, husband, and father-in-law. She immediately got a job in a retail store, and eventually moved her way up to manager. After that, she went to obtained her degree in nursing and has been working as a nurse ever since.

Sahra's story, as told to Abdifatah Abdi: 

When I look left, I see white. When I look right, I see white. It seemed as if everything about this foreign nation was white. The land, the people, and the food. I was a young woman, looking to find a new home for my family. I had spent three years in Kenya with my brother, and [I] heard about about a country so great, where new immigrants can come and make it their home. I have heard of this country many times, but I never thought it to be a reality. Until, my cousin left for it. Then, months later, he gave us a call and told us to come and make it [our] home. He told us: our kids can go to school, we can work, and live in peace until old age. We didn't need to think about it. We packed our bags, made the necessary moves, and departed to a nation I have never seen. 

"What is this city that I landed in?" I though to myself. Sitting in this cramped airport on a very cold morning. I had never experienced this cold, or winter, in fact. It was a shock to me, to see the depth of cold that could hit a country. As our flight attendant is giving us our final instructions, I peeked out the window, and see nothing but fields and snow. I couldn't help but think about the home I had just left.

Aching for home, aching for those warm days around the kitchen table hearing my fathers folktales about the lions of our past. Men who protected their cubs from dangerous people lurking for trouble. Women who led villages, and were known as queens long before man made their first conquest. Swimming in the pacific, long into the night. 

As I step off the plane, a cold gust brings me into shivers, I can't help but think: what did I get myself into? Is this the America that is so revered? The land where I am to make my home? The land my kids will be raised in? Slowly walking off the plane, I see my daughter in my hand twitch, wrapping her little fingers around me, comforting me as if she knew what was in my heart. I hug her even tighter for both our sakes, slowly walking as I continued moving my weary legs into in this strange airport. Looking around, and gutted to my new reality. I thought to myself, how far did we land? Where did we end up? What is this state called "Minnesota?" 

15 years later, I sit back and think about that cold January morning when I first arrived in Minnesota. It seems as if it was yesterday, but time doesn't slow for anyone. I have seen everything that life can deliver, and I'm proud to be left standing. Snapping back into reality when I hear the laughter of kids, watching my kids throw water balloons at their cousins, enjoying a hot summer day on this wonderful 4 of July. I sat back and thought how far I have come, and the blessings of life. I wouldn't trade my journey for anyone's. 

Abdifatah Abdi:

All my life I have been surrounded by strong, motivated, and inspiring women. We hold them in the highest of lights, and even still, look up to them, as if there are a shining light. They bring us light in our darkest days. They bring us warmth in this cold dreary world and give us strength. Without our Muslim women, we would be lost, as if we were walking in a never-ending maze. Without them, we would live in darkness. Sahra's story is about a strong young mother, who navigates through her first day in Minnesota.  Sahra is the definition of the American dream; she scratched and clawed her way up to the top, and made a life for herself and her kids. In speaking with me, she wanted to emphasize that it was a tough journey, but with God, anything is possible