The American Dream: The Salib family is living out their dreams in America because of the sacrifices Samiha has made

If you have ever gotten to know Samiha Salib on a personal level, then you probably know how much she loves to cook. It is a passion of hers and is something she just loves to do.

In fact, whenever any of her grandkids come to visit, one of the first things Samiha does is ensure they have food in their bellies. She loves to fill them up with food the same way she loves to fill them up with love and laughter, and these are some of the many things that make her such a wonderful person.

“A lot of what Mom does really kind of stems around food,” her son David said. “That’s her love language. She loves cooking the grandkids food and teaching them how to bake. She’s just constantly making sure she is feeding us and the kids.”

Full stomachs and full hearts are the Samiha way.

Loving family with her great big heart and living out the American Dream is also the Samiha way. She and Salib, her husband for over 30 years until he passed, immigrated from Egypt and helped build an amazing life for their two boys, and this is something they will never forget.

They will also never forget all the lessons their mother taught them along the way. From the importance of making self-sacrifices to the importance of family to everything in between, Samiha has a plethora of values she passed off onto David and Peter.

“She’s a living example of how to make it all work,” Peter said. “In the storms, she is there. She showed us how to live our lives. Everything she has shown us is still applicable to this day. She showed us how to help your family and others.”

Samiha has been a great mother in many ways. She has been super supportive of her sons, their families, and was always there for her husband Salib.

She is also someone who has a servant’s heart, as anyone she sees in need she will be there for.

Samiha’s perseverance and resilience have always stood out to her sons as well. She worked two careers for a lot of their younger years, making ends meet by working in the factory while also running a catering business. It was all about the kids and making sure they had the best lives possible, and Samiha definitely provided that.

“When I think of Mom I think of unending sacrifice,” Peter said. “She was always putting my dad and us first – especially when we were little. Mom worked second shift at a factory job for many years to make sure someone was home when we were home. She would do anything for us.”

Samiha’s selflessness and love for family was always on display, and that is something Peter and David will always remember and appreciate about her.

They are also thankful for the fact that she was this way with everyone. While it may seem to be a harped upon point, so much of Samiha’s personality and makeup is about helping other people.

“Mom has a motor on her that makes her continue going and taking care of people,” David said. “She is focused on the betterment of others, such as others in the church community. When there is a call for help, she is usually the first one to jump to it.”

Samiha will give you the shirt off of her back if you need it, and her willingness to help others is just a true testament to her character. She never forgets where she came from, and she certainly realizes the opportunities that were afforded to her and her family, and for that she has always been thankful.

She is even someone who will not back down from a challenge, and although she usually does not like surprises, Samiha is still someone who truly knows how to adjust on the fly when need be.

“She was never afraid to pivot with her back up against the wall,” David said. “She always thrives when she makes the jump. Mom is very resilient. She’s got that immigrant mentality.”

Being an immigrant, working two jobs, raising two boys and having children have all culminated to this moment in time. This is a moment in time where Samiha is celebrated and appreciated for all she has ever done for her family, and they know she will continue to do this for a long, long time.

“Mom, we love you more than these words can describe, and we are blessed to have you as our mom, and our kids’ grandmom. Your love, care and strength are qualities we can only hope to try and live out as much as you have.” – Peter and David