Of moments that were lost...

Between the husband, and myself we used to take turns to go tharaweeh at the Masjid because someone needed to stay home with the kids. Most of the times, I would pray at home and let him go the masjid but I remember there was this one night that I so badly wanted to go but my husband had already left and I had all the children with me. I remember packing them into the minivan. The youngest was the sleeping baby in the car seat that I had to carry into the masjid through a dark path. Somehow I felt like I needed to be there to pray with everyone even though it was incredible difficult for me with two sleeping toddlers, and two more to keep an eye on... I remember I was afraid that the little one will wake up and cry and disturb all the other worshippers. Whenever he cooed i regretted going... Little did I realize that, that night was going to be the last congregational tharaweeh for me for a long time to come. I feel so blessed and happy that I decided to go that night despite it being so hard for me. You never know when a missed opportunity would come back to haunt you so seize the moment, do your best. Praying that we make it to this blessed month.... praying that the world returns to more goodness than ever before.... Wishing you a tranquil Ramadan with the strongest thaqwa and iman! Duas for all!

Remember to be kind to kids and mums with kids in masjids if you ever get another chance!

Too late to regret

We never thought it would come back to haunt us....

That student that you were too busy to hug, at the end of a bad day
That  dentist or medical appointment that you kept putting off since there is time to get to it later
That last congregational prayer and community cook off
Seize the moment
Do it..

How do we get through this?

I don't write as good as I used to .... but I will give it a go if it means it may help someone

Our household has 8 people so someone needs something almost all the time. It's easy to spread out too thin. My feelings go from good to bad to worse to good again in several cycles within an hour. I never had to worry about finishing rations or being out of baby wipes. Since my parents are diabetic and have underlying conditions I am somewhat paranoid. Here's how I try to get through my days.

- Do your best - that's all I can do

Be Busy - Being Busy is better than Being Worried

- Have a set of goals
- Prioritize - For me work related work is more important than house work so I get that done first

Small bitable chunks of work with achievable objectives
- Pinch out small manageable projects around the house that I know I can get done. So if you clean the microwave, then save the fridge for the day or pick one counter or one side of your closet to deep clean at a time.

Relaxation time is important
- Let go - some things can go undone
- Take care of myself, brush my hair, watch my health and personal hygiene
- Have kids shower every other day all on the same day so its easier to keep track. There's no need to shower them every day
- Divert attention from the problem at hand, watch a movie or do something fun to lighten up
- Every now and then, do an activity with the family, we may never have this family time again
- Its ok to forget about things for a while
- My children need not be the center of the universe all the time

If you are up to it, write, vlog, blog... do something to record third for the history books your great grand kids will read about!

Communicate 
With yourself - Its ok to feel sad and cry - acknowledge that
With God - Keep at prayer. Find comfort in the fact that you did your best and let the the rest in His hands
With Everyone else- Communicate - let people know your current feeling at the time so they can give you your space or offer to help
- Keep in touch with friends and family - they might need it more than I

All in all we are ok. We were not wired for this. But we do have the mental capacity to prepare for and get through it. One day at a time...

Give
Find peace and comfort in helping others
Whether its making someone smile or lending food to those who can't go get it

And Finally...
Avoid sharing pictures of food and fun. Some are grieving lost loved ones. Others are taking out that last slice of bread from the packs. Have empathy. Don't share too many good times that hurt others who don't have them.
...because getting through this is the only way to reach the other side!

Thank you for all the grey hair you have given me!

You always ask me "What's the worse that could happen"
Like your blood group you have shown me how to be positive and see the light at the end of the most vicious tunnels of life
You told me to let go and not sweat the small stuff
As you get older I thank you for sharing our lives together... for helping... with breakfast and more.
Thank you for working hard every day for us... Thank you for tea in bed and occasional breakfast in bed too!
For being a good dad
Thank you also for allowing me to shout or vent when I need to.
To mars and back...
Love you always and insha Allah until we are too old to remember....

Happy 45th and many more good ones IA

Here we go