MAHMOOD

STONE MASON & FATHER

“When I see stone here in Nashville, I remember home – my work and my family in Lebanon and Syria.”

I did construction and masonry work in my home country of Syria, and after we moved across the border to Lebanon. My dad had a masonry business in the 1980s, and we owned a truck to move big stones.

When I was a child, probably 15 or so, I started helping my dad. I had to help on the farm, moving the stone and driving the tractor. It was a difficult childhood – it is hard work to rely on yourself.

My father knew I would need to take care of myself, so he made sure I learned how to work. He showed me how to build things, how to use tools, how to drive the tractor. He taught me everything about work and about life that I keep in my heart and mind. When I see stone here in Nashville, I remember home – my work and my family in Lebanon and Syria.

Now, I work in manufacturing, assembling computers. We put all the pieces together. In general, it’s not my favorite, but it makes money so I can support my family. I have to take care of my kids and my wife. That means everything. I chose to come here for my family’s future.

I don’t know exactly what the future will look like, but I want them to grow up and be able to work for themselves and take care of their families. Family values are very important to us.

Meeting people like our friends from Nashville Neighbors at Siloam Health has been the best surprise in the United States. Sometimes I call my brother and talk to him about what it’s like to know our friends. They are one of the main reasons we love it here.