by Mahnaz B. Consolver
Mahnaz Consolver grew up in a loving, traditional home in Iran. Her parents gave her instruction in life and relationships and encouraged her to always do things the right way. When she marries Amin, Mahnaz has dreams of a loving husband and a wonderful new life in America.
Her dreams are immediately shattered when Amin strikes her for the first time. Even when she is pregnant with their first child, he routinely beats her and abuses her emotionally. She finds out he is addicted to opium and would gladly spend all his money on drugs before he would spend anything on her. Mahnaz is overcome by the shame of the situation; she cannot even bring herself to tell her own family of the abuse but asks her father not to send any more money to support them. Amin flies into a rage, blaming Mahnaz for everything and beating her harder than ever.
When Amin realizes the rights American women have, he brings Mahnaz and their young family back to Iran, in essence, making her a prisoner in her own home. She is defiant, refusing to give him the satisfaction of being afraid. She begs God for protection and deliverance, knowing she must reach deep within herself for the courage to save herself—and her children. She knows there is one place where she can start over, where she will be safe in the land of hope and justice: America. But Amin has her passport locked in the safe. Even if she could get an international visa, how would she get out of the country?
Mahnaz B. Consolver was born in Iran and currently resides in Kansas. Mahnaz is the proud mother to three sons, Bob, Kamran, and Sean. She enjoys spending time with them and her husband, as well as cooking and playing sports. It is her hope that through her story and experiences, other women will use their opportunities and become more involved in their children’s lives and raise them more responsibly.
http://www.dorrancebookstore.com/dadaofmyliin.html
Small portions of "The darkest days of my life in the U.S. and Iran"
On January 3, 2008, Oprah mentioned on her show that there are ten million children either in an abusive family relationship or are being abused. Come on. I had much better thoughts about family relationships here in America. How is it possible? Don't you think these children are the future of the country? Don't you think life should be full of love and peace for kids? Don't you think we shape the future of society by the way we raise our children? Dont't you think.....don't you think?
From chapter 4,
I never received any care from my husband during the pregnancy. He ever took me to the doctor during the nine months of pregnancy. Every time i said i needed to see a doctor, he said it was not time yet. I had no knowledge on how to give birth to the baby. My life situation was so boring, and i was living in strained circumstances.
From chapter 18,
The thirty- minute ride seemed like the longest ride of my life. I thought i had nothing to lose now that they were going to kill me. I was at the highest level of craziness. I started to ask them questions again, "Sir please tell me what's going to happen to me. Sir, have i done something awfully wrong that i am not even aware of? Sir, please talk to me and say something!
From chapter 20
My husband knew he couldn't mess with me in a country where they respected a woman as much as a man. He knew a male and a female were equal in the U.S.A. He knew he wasn't a king here a i wasn't his slave. He knew this country had the same values and qualities for women as they had for men. He knew in this country, women were proud to be women. He knew in America, i didn't have to hate myself as a woman. He knew here, i didn't get depressed and hurt myself simply because i was born a female. Most importantly of all, he knew America was the land of justice for women.
From chapter 23,
Raise your kids well. Bring up your kids responsible. A responsible person is very involved, knows his or her duties, is very sensitive and is able to fulfill his or her obligations. A responsible person is able to choose between right and wrong. A responsible person has positive reaction to anything, anywhere, at anytime. A responsible person is very understanding. A responsible person is very patient, especially when it comes to raising children.
Posts
