Stories My Father Told Me, by Helen Zughaib Click next to see each progressive piece of art in the collection.

Saying Goodbye After a very, very long wait, permission to travel to America had been granted, reservations on a ship from Beirut to New York City were made and a departure date became certain. The goodbyes began in the village. Relatives, friends and neighbors came to drink coffee and exchange stories about others who had emigrated. Finally, two days before the actual departure, the entire family traveled to Beirut to stay in a hotel and say the final goodbyes. My grandmother, Teta, could not believe that she was finally emigrating with her family to America. She put all the passports, tickets and whatever jewelry and money she had in a special hand bag which she held on to even in her sleep. Teta also had to be certain that the suitcases packed with gifts for her sisters in America were safe. A large oriental rug purchased from Damascus as a gift had been wrapped separately and was always kept in Teta's sight. Hotel employees, relatives, and, especially, my father were on guard duty and fully occupied for two days. On the morning of the departure, it was determined that the ship was too big to come to the pier in the port. The passengers, suitcases, last minute gifts and the carpet had to be put in a large rowboat manned by four sailors. Teta insisted on sitting on the rug, no matter what that did to the stability of the rowboat. When they were safely on the big ship, Teta demanded that the sailors put all the suitcases and the carpet in her cabin. They argued that everything not needed on the voyage must be put in the hold. It finally took an officer of the ship to intervene and guarantee nothing would be stolen. My sister has the carpet in her dining room.