It is with gratitude, admiration, and great respect for my mother that I am able to write this afterword for her first book. Since my brother wrote the introduction, I thought it will be appropriate to end the book on the same note.

As a child, I remember the wonderful stories that my mother told me. She would tell me how she grew up, what she saw, and all the instances described in this book. It was only after reading her words, however, that I was able to get a really clear and sound understanding of her experience. A mainstay of life at home always involved her cooking; as I grew up, I became accustomed to the spices, flavors, and uniqueness of traditional dishes. Since I have moved out from home, I have a lot to learn in order to re-cultivate those recipes!

Through this book, I have gained great understanding and insight into the history of my family. Initially, I had no idea that my mother had intentions of writing this by intertwining our family history with it. I can see now how important this was. It has helped me make sense of a culture that I never experienced directly.

I consider the compilation of this book a gift. It is a gift to my brother and me. It is a gift to our family. Yet, it is also a gift to people who may be unfamiliar with the Pakistani culture and traditions. It is both a memoir, but also a very useful cookbook. All of the magnificent recipes are traditional and have been passed down for generations; you will find variations of each dish across different families.

And so, I thank my mother for all she has given me, shown me, and shared with me. It is due to her strength and perseverance that today I can see life with a balanced perspective. She has not only been there for me, but also provided me with unmatchable wisdom and integrity. As the years go by, I see more and more how valuable these gifts are, and I am very grateful. I hope to pass along this book, along with the stories and recipes, to my own family. It can only be through this that we can keep our traditions alive.

Sabah Karimi