Chapter 56

Summary

• Yara observes the beauty of nature and feels a sense of renewal with the arrival of fall.
• She has been searching for an affordable apartment, which she couldn't find until her daughters returned to school.
• Yara and her husband Fadi have been sleeping in separate rooms and minimizing communication.
• She maintains a sense of normalcy for her daughters during the summer, spending quality time with them.
• Yara's father, Baba, chastises her decision to get a divorce and expresses disappointment in her for not enduring like their ancestors did.
• Yara feels torn between her past self and her current path but resolves to trust in herself and her decision to live a different life.
• She anticipates the challenge of telling her daughters about the divorce and her move into a new apartment.
• Yara and Fadi agree to discuss the situation with their daughters in a neutral setting and to share custody equally.
• During therapy, Yara realizes that recovery from mental illness is not a linear journey with a clear end.
• Yara's sense of self includes acceptance of the tides of emotions she experiences.
• Having packed and discarded belongings that no longer serve her, Yara moves to her new apartment.
• She shares with her daughter Jude the importance of expressing emotions to avoid feeling trapped.
• Yara's life has transformed, feeling more vibrant and full, even as she navigates occasional grief and loneliness.
• She writes as a way to process her emotions and stay grounded.
• Yara's friendship with Silas has been supportive and comforting, contradicting her belief that she didn't need other people.
• Silas reassures Yara that he cares for her and will be there for her, which helps build her trust.
• Yara enjoys newfound quality time with her daughters and ponders what could have been for her mother's life.
• An art class featuring Frida Kahlo inspires Yara and her daughters, connecting them to the power of self-expression.
• Yara envisions using her experiences to create art that represents and uplifts marginalized people.
• She shares with her daughters a dream of starting their own art studio focused on the work of people of color and healing through creativity.