As a child, Nuri always preferred to sit on the head of her home's six chair kitchen table made of cedar wood, in a kitchen that is separated by a cabinet from the living room where her grandfather used to sit down on his rocking chair beside the warmth of the fire dancing in the hearth, dressed in his comfy housecoat, indulged in his history books. Nuri liked to sit on the head of the kitchen table because from there, she could see her grandfather through the hollow in the middle of the cabinet. She used to love taking a small break from her homework and start discussing history with him. Their topic would change almost every month, from Hitler to M.Luther King, from Al-Khawarizmi to Abraham Lincoln.
What sparked Nuri's passion for history was an innocent question she had in her head throughout her childhood; how can humanity have the great and honourable, savage and horrible all at once? She usually asked her grandfather such deep and introspective questions like the one she once asked him, after which they stayed up all night till the warm winter sun rays cracked through the three inches of the window left open onto their feet as they sat on the ground; is the world such an ugly place to be for good people?
Nuri's parents were aspiring scientists, working on their desktops for hours trying to figure out the algorithms and design requirements for an idea of a renovated artificial limb that they have built in their heads during the tens of hours of discussions they loved to have after their nights of love and closeness. Nuri loved to follow her parents to the university campus where she used to get treated like a princess by all the staff working there. She loved quietly watching everyone collaborated for a great purpose, she always made sure to join in by giving some advise or bringing everyone food for lunch break.
On Sundays, the whole family used to enjoy quiet nights where everyone was curled on his own book or movie waiting impatiently for the savoury-smelling dinner getting ready in the oven. Such nights were Nuri's favourite, because she could enjoy the warmth and intimacy of having her beloved ones beside her while being able to wander in the adventure-land in her book at the same time. When dinner got ready, everyone left their books and laptops where they were and gathered around the table. Dinner time was the time when everyone got to share a part of the book they were reading, or the movie they were watching and soon into the night, everyone has become a part of a mind-stimulating discussion.
Nuri's home was far from perfect, however. There were conflicts as in every home, but the only difference is that everyone knew what do in the time of conflict. The two in conflict would lock themselves in a room, and try to discuss their matters in the most gentle way they can. No shouting, cursing or throwing accusations was allowed in the house. Everyone made sure they learnt the art of clean and effective communication, so that harmony is achieved amongst all. The basis this house was built on were intimacy and harmony, honesty and strong consciousness, gentleness and putting the needs of everyone before one's own needs. It was her heaven, her escape from the cruelty and lack of logic in the world outside the window of her room. Nuri's home was an overwhelming feeling of warmth she would never forget, it is the place were she grew up to become the successful, modest and reflective young woman she is now. It was where she learnt to embrace the power of quiet.
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