Mira and Marvin Barghish, along with their parents, Lozniya Zandinan and Muhsin Barghish, are still adjusting to life in the United States. They’re a long way from the life they knew in Sinjar, Iraq, and from their temporary home in Baghdad, where they camped in a white tent in the dusty desert. It’s even pretty far from Texas, the last stop on the way to their new life.

A city of white tents

The family was forced to flee Sinjar and the harrowing offensive by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant against Iraqi and Kurdish forces. With only what they could carry, Mira and her mother, Lozniya, joined other family members on the perilous journey across the desert to Baghdad. Mira, not yet 5, rode on Lozniya’s back, holding tightly to her for what seemed like forever as they trudged through the hot sand. There, they reunited with Muhsin and other family members, living in their new community — a city of white tents — for three years.

A long plane ride from Baghdad landed Mira and her parents in Texas, where an uncle she had never met gave them support and a start at a new and better life. His gift to Mira of green sparkly shoes have been her symbol of hope and new beginnings. Mira, now 13 years old and a gifted storyteller, wrote about these shoes in her account of her journey to the states, which we were lucky enough to get to read. 

“But with the advantage of my family, everything is now different for me. I have better things than before, and I’m very different from who I was back then.”

Mira has since outgrown those sparkly shoes, but not her indomitable spirit. It’s that moxie that caught the attention of Mira’s nominator, Charity Iromuanya. Charity, a past Magic Moments recipient herself, is the Building Coordinator at Culler Middle School where Mira is a straight-A student. Mira excels despite a challenging schedule and the barriers of adapting to a new culture — a trait she learned, no doubt, from her brave mother who made a game of a march across the desert, or her father, who managed to greet her in their makeshift home with snacks and toys, or the gracious uncle who helped write the first chapter of their story in America. 

Little brother Marvin, now 6, is following suit, displaying a natural intelligence and curiosity. Charity feels that this family’s determination and resilience shine through as they navigate their new life and that they are deserving of a holiday as sparkly as Mira’s beloved green shoes. UBT couldn’t agree more.

Serving up some warmth 

UBT’s Magic Moments team worked with our incredible partners to ensure that the Barghish family felt the love of their new community this season. A healthy dose of warmth against the winter chill was definitely in order, so they’ll all be sporting some appropriately toasty winter apparel. Lozniya and Muhsin received gifts to create and maintain a cozy home inside and out, while Marvin and Mira’s gifts included tablets to encourage curiosity and learning. Special gifts were included that spoke to each family member, and gift cards, memberships, and passes guarantees a solid year of family fun.

Muhsin, Lozniya, Mira, and Marvin, your story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of family support. We can only imagine the obstacles you’ve had to face. We’re glad you’re here, and that you have each other. We wish you a joyous holiday season from Union Bank & Trust. Stay spunky and keep writing, Mira!