Rabia

Rabia was born in Algeria and is in her late 40's. She has a wonderful energy about her and we caught up over brunch yesterday in my neighborhood at one of the nicer spots I know; a cute French style bistro. She has taken the month of August off and feels free as a bird. 

She felt limited growing up in a Muslim country as a woman where she would very much be a second class citizen. Having gone through her phase with a head scarf and trying to be devout, it didn't take and she adapted to western culture with a natural flair which suits her bubbly personality. 

We used to work together and over our meal she tells me I'm brave which I dispell by saying that we simply get tired of feeling subjugated by the whims of a mostly irrational society. 

Afterwards we go thrifting and she quickly spots Michael Kors ballet flats in her size for 12 dollars. She cannot believe her luck after already having found two perfect dresses which was the result of both of us scouring the racks. 

People like her form part of my social circle of good people who knew me before but primarily focus on the character of the person in front of them.