We have an expression that says “seek knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave”. But in Afghanistan knowledge is like a dream which does not exist in reality. Men are responsible for all expenses that their family has. They start earning money when they are teenagers and have to support their families and. They don't have enough time to go to school or college. That's why They don't have a lot of Education. But if they do have time and the money, then they can seek knowledge or do whatever they want. On the other hand, literacy is a totally different story for women. Schools in Afghanistan do not provide transportation for the students and since women are not allowed to drive there, it brings many challenges for their education along with other oppositions. When I was a child my grandma (who I lived with) did not allow me to go to school because I was a pretty and smart girl and she was worried that someone might kidnap me. My father was a valedictorian student at his school and college and after he died (when I was so little), I inherited his merit. I loved to learn, to solve problems, to be able to answer any question, and to be the person you can make my father (in his grave), my mom, whoever loves me, whoever I love, and most importantly myself proud of me. Despite all of my enthusiasm, I wasn't able to convince others to let me go and achieve my wants (even later on). It was too hard for me to be under the burden of my life's complexities while I was just a child and knew that it was just the beginning! Years later, my mom -by seeing my interest to learn- enrolled me in a school where she was working nearby and was watching me like a shadow and I was the happiest girl who wanted to impress everybody at home and school with my talent. I always had the greatest grades, straight A's, never even had a B, I was the valedictorian student and all of my classes and everybody (who wanted to be just like me) in school, neighborhood and family were complimenting me and my understanding of everything. Most of the girls in Afghanistan are allowed to go to school until the fifth or sixth grade because at that age (12 and older) girls reach physical puberty and showing off in public at this point specially alone is considered a stigma and a blur to the fame of the family. Even though it is because they(family, men) don't want them(girls/women) to be harassed or hurt but still because their choices aren’t honored, it's painful and mournful(for the girls). When I reached that age, despite all of my talent and the things that I mentioned above, I was forbidden from going to school again. But it was hard for me to accept and move on. When I tried to disagree, my mom, like everybody else, said people go to school and college to find a good job and make money for a living. Why do you want to go? You don't have to do any of those. Until you are here in my home(single), we (family) are responsible to make your needs met; we provide you home to stay, clothes to wear, food to eat, and… and when you get married, all of your expenses will be your husband's responsibilities; all you will have to do will be taking care of the kids and do the chores. I said to myself, what will be the passion of life if there is no challenge or something to look forward to for me and let others decide about my life? I stood for myself and convince my mom(my only guardian) to let me go to school, it wasn't easy at first, I cried, I screamed, I felt a lot of sorrows, and even I went on hunger strike for many days until I succeeded to Convince her(my mom) and was able to go and be the most talented student again until I graduated as valedictorian and had perfect scores on my high school diploma. In Afghanistan, there is an exam which is called Concor. This exam tests students' knowledge of all subjects that they learned in school and if they pass, then they can go to public universities which have no tuition costs (except the cost for the books and transportation). I took that exam after my graduation and on the day that the results were being announced, someone from our family went to see the results. He said that I failed the test. This was shocking and disappointing for me at the same time because I had absolute confidence in myself and told my family that I will definitely pass it(the test) based on the questions that I answered on the exam paper. Even imagining a failure in my life was a nightmare and now imagine my hurt feelings!!!!! I cried all day and night, I did not eat, did not sleep, and just cried and cried, along with me cried my two sisters(who wanted to be just like me) and said ‘’you were the most intelligent one of us, if you did not pass the test, we don't even bother going there and taking it’’. The next day my mom -who saw me all night and how much I suffered from hearing this crestfallen news- went by herself to see the results of my exam and not surprisingly she found out that I wasn't a failure after all and had passed the test. I was accepted to an associate degree program which was one of my choices out of five. The other person(who said that I failed the test) just lied about my result so that I wouldn't go to college. Like being in school, I was the best and most intelligent student in college as well. I worked part-time as a teacher to transfer my knowledge to others and earn my college expenses in the meantime. When I graduated from the associate degree program, I had an opportunity to transfer my associate degree credits to a four-year college by taking another test. The capacity of the program that I and other students wanted to go to was 20 people maximum and there were 2,0000 students taking that test from all over the country. Guess who passed? Of course I was one of those 20 but I had to postpone my college for a while then because a new page of my life's book began and I got married. Even though my chances were one in a thousand, with no doubt, I was planning to talk to my husband at the right time and have his support so I could go back to college and. That was when a big and unexpected change occurred in our life and because of the government changes (The 2021 Afghanistan’s Crisis), we had to leave our country and move to the United States. Here in the U.S. I had to start all over again even far back from school and college which was learning language. I did not know any English when I came here and it was the biggest barrier on my way even to communicate with others. in spite of everything that was going on in my life (immigration crisis, loneliness in a new community, nostalgia for family, premature childbirth,…), with my husband's help and support alongside my courage, love to learn, and round-the-clock effort, I learned English in no time and was the center of compliments from my teachers, husband, classmates, and friends (who wanted to be just like me) It is very difficult and depressing to lose everything that you worked hard for and must start all over again. For most people it can be disappointing, discouraging and also the reason for giving up on themselves and their wishes. But I -despite thousands of obstacles in my life- never gave up and never will. Now that I've dominated the language, I want to continue my journey of college despite the new day by day challenges that I have to face ... .I don't have enough time for anything including myself nowadays since my priority is taking care of my family and children. Speaking of children and family, thankfully I have two gorgeous and smart kids who were born in the hard times of my life and added glamor with happiness to my life, and a loving, caring, also attentive husband who works very hard so that I and the kids will live in prosperity and welfare. All he wants me to do is take care of the children and our love’s Cottage (home, and chores) as I was told before. But I can't live without challenging myself that's why I decided to start a college program and take classes virtually at home, that way I will be able to take care of my little ones as well, and since I am very good at convincing those who play a prominent role in my life's decisions (my mom and husband), I talked my husband into it and as always he is my biggest support. Based on the highly cost college program which I am interested in (medical school) I will definitely be facing a lot of financial challenges to go forward but I hope somehow by a miracle I will accomplish my highly demanded wishes and be who I want to be and be able to help others. I always thought that the root of my endless sorrows in life is being a woman, and I remember all those countless tears and cries for myself, still am doing it sometimes when I am faced with discouraging statements and unbearable emotional pressures from my life and loved ones. That was when I made a meaningful slogan or inspiration phrase for myself that says “desire to do something is the ability of doing it”. What I mean by that is if we want something or someone so badly, we will do anything to achieve it; therefore, there is no possibility of not getting it. Even though I couldn't seek knowledge or my dreams from the cradle (based on others' decisions), I will definitely try to reach the point of my satisfaction even till the grave. I have sent my daughters to learning centers from the time they were in cribs(cradle) and will teach them by being diligent, advocator, heroine, a great mom, and inspiring role model for them, to not give up on themselves and their wishes under any influence of life's complications and adversities.

Ms. Bawar told me that in Afganistan there’s a phrase they use often, “seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” but culturally that really doesn’t apply to the women living there. Against all odds, Ms. Bawar fought for her education and for herself to get where she is now. In this song, I wanted to reclaim the phrase “cradle to the grave” for her as a way to embody her bravery, determination and resilience. I encourage you to read the essay that she wrote because it was impossible to fit her entire story into a 4-minute song; plus she’s an incredible writer. It was an honor to work with her on this project.

Claire Kelly, a singer-songwriter and self-proclaimed optimist from the Chicago area, has been lighting up the music world with her heartfelt songs since she began writing at age 13. Now based in Nashville, she’s toured internationally, had her music featured on major platforms like HBO Max, ABC, Netflix’s Love is Blind, and won multiple songwriting contests. Her award-winning songs, like “Tapestry” and “Drunk Girls,” reflect her signature themes of gratitude, love, and kindness. Claire has shared stages with artists like Colbie Caillat and Anderson East, and renowned Nashville songwriters through showcases like Backstage Nashville.