YOU'RE FAR MORE PRECIOUS THAN DIAMONDS AND PEARLS

“If memory serves me correctly, I was wearing a little white tank top and ashort black skirt. I had been raised Orthodox Muslim, so I had never beforeworn such revealing clothing while in my father’s presence. When we finallyarrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to myfather's suite.As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchangedmany hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took agood look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that Iwill never forget.He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you finddiamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and protected. Where do youfind pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamondsand pearls, and you should be covered too.”Source: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.