Could it be only a little over a week since Rusul entered our lives? Hard to believe. In that short amount of time, she’s made some new and dear friends, learned some English, had her foot amputated, been discharged from the hospital, and is now walking with a walker! And our dear friend, Abu Ali, her father, feels comfortable and welcome again in his “home away from home”.

But so much more has happened in the short time since Rusul’s been here. She’s taught me so much; not only a few more words in Arabic and that she loves french fries and ketchup to an alarming degree, but she’s reminded me to be more appreciative.

She’s taught me that the focus should be on the positive ending, not the struggle along the way. Having “your foot chopped off” can be a GOOD thing because it means walking better and getting to go to school!

She’s taught me that I complain too much. If she can wake up from an amputation, lift the covers and look at a leg entirely encased in a cast and obviously missing a foot, put the covers back down and SMILE, then me complaining about a hangnail or a stomachache seems a bit ridiculous.

She’s taught me that you can never smile too much. I always thought I smiled quite a bit (I’ve often gotten the comment “what are you smiling about?”), but it’s really a rarity when Rusul doesn’t have a smile on her face. And, if it’s not a smile, it’s a burst of laughter – I’ve never seen anyone find so much joy in EVERYTHING in life!

She’s taught me that there truly are no strangers, only friends we haven’t yet met. She greets everyone in the same way – as someone she could love to have as a friend when she gets to know you better! How can she feel that way after what she’s been through? I think of her asking Abu Ali upon our plane arriving in Greenville, “Am I in America now?” having only known Americans through the ones that took her foot, her sister’s legs and her brother’s life. I thought his answer that “Yes, you’ve been in America since New York” would cause her to worry. Yet, she was more than willing to give us another chance!

She’s taught me about Faith. I thought I was a person of faith. I realize now that I’m lacking in true Faith. She believes that God, Allah, will make everything right and, if not here, than in the hereafter. I love my religion and I love God, but I know from Rusul that with truth faith there is no room for sorrow or complaint or lack of love. It will all be good in the end and we need to appreciate whatever the life He gave us doles out.

She’s taught me so much. Or, inadvertently, tried to teach me. I don’t know if I’ll ever actually learn or practice, what Rusul has shown me.

But I do know that my life has already been changed for the better by having her in it.