  Revised poem. "Pearls" By Jill Wakefield (Dedicated to Nermin Bal for her unconditional love for a future daughter-in-law. ) These curvy strung jewels must have come from some curvy street shop deep in the depths of the Covered Bazaar. They came to me in a soft little bag accompanied by a few Turkish words, and a smile that meant more to me than any language could explain. My mouth fell open when they tumbled out into my hand and immediately began capturing all the light in the room, which they all held in their depths and reflected back warmly. Words escaped me. What do you say to a gift like this? I could barely utter the "Thank you! " echoing in my mind. Translating it was beyond me. I suddenly knew the true depths of her heart. The heart of this Mother , who I might have called my own as her son stands by my side. Who loved me like a daughter though barely a word between us was understood.
While wishing I could be able to express more in those foreign words I soon learned that I would be wishing to see her warm smile again. Now only a pearlescent memory of her shines in all the hearts of her children. But like the pearls around my neck, my memory for her will never lose it's loving glow. May Allah bless and keep her. A pearl among a sea of pebbles. 
