Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive

A Middle Eastern Woman's Story

De: Dima Ghawi

Narrado por: Dima Ghawi

Breaking Vases powerfully and vividly captures the rich heritage of one woman’s Middle East, along with its brutal realities, which followed Dima Ghawi from her native Jordan to her adopted country, the United States. Brought up in a small, conservative Christian community in Amman, Dima learned to be quiet and subservient to her elders and to men. When she was just five, Dima’s beloved grandmother warned that a woman’s greatest responsibility was to preserve her image - one as fragile as a glass vase - and the honor of her family’s reputation.

Anything less was shameful. Yet her grandmother also planted a seed: the simple hope that Dima could graduate from college and become the first formally educated woman in her family. At 19, hoping to free herself from cultural constraints and her father’s turbulent temper, she accepted a traditional marriage proposal from an older, affluent, and seemingly Western-minded jeweler. Newly married and in a state of naïve love, she happily uprooted her life in Amman and moved with him to California. But San Diego’s “Little Middle East” was not her American dream. She soon realized that her husband was more traditional and controlling than she had imagined. Changing her circumstances would be dangerous and require courage Dima had never known before.

Nevertheless, she was determined to transform her destiny, even if it meant standing alone and facing life-threatening consequences. Her memoir captures the terrors and joys of escaping confinements, crossing continents, and daring to discover and create a bold identity and life purpose.

©2018, 2019 Dima Ghawi, LLC (P)2019 Dima Ghawi, LLC

Dima is an inspiration to all!

Thank you for having the courage and strength to share your story with us. Blessings to you and your family of strong, empowered women and men who broke free of traditions that sought to limit your freedoms and your potential.

Such an amazing story

Dima is an inspiration, her strength and resilience are remarkable. Such an amazing life she has lived along with her mother and sister. They prove that no matter where you start, you have the ability to achieve greatness.

Unbelievable story!

This story is truly amazing! It’s a heartbreaker but has a beautiful ending. It felt like Educated by Tara Westover but set in middle eastern culture. Go read this book!!