The July 5, blog just posted took everything out of me. I was utterly and absolutely spent. Recalling the horrors of the psychological and physical pain inflicted upon me. Looking at the immeasurably sad state of affairs in the States – all of it. I woke to a bevy of emails from Computer Guru Chris bringing a myriad of emotions which you shall explore with me. A sense of companionship remembering all that we had been through together. Encouraging statistics which you shall hear about and a sense of relief. The first I opened was Chris’ response to photographs of my injuries.
He: Flippin’ hick Alexis there are awful!! I’s forgotten about this.
Me: Thank you my luv. So had I forgotten in many ways. It was time to remember but in thankfulness and gratitude that those days are in in the past Any and all sacrifices and hardships worth it to finally find peace. Alexis (Alaa)
The critical reel had arrived in his inbox much to my relief.
Me: All praise to Allah! What a wonderful morning to find this to be so. Thank you. Me
Fast forward – no idea what happened but when blog posted the reel, so important to me, was not attached. Sent off an email immediately. Subject line: The reel is not attached. Content has been censored.
I had sent an email the day before. Subject line: I paid you and stats please. I spoke of other matters.
Me: It is funny. I know you are not a Muslim but Muslims are required give to charity, it is an essential element of the faith. I consider, for good reason, my blogs to be a charity. So payments to you are a charity. Just what you always wanted to be! A Muslim charity. Hahaha Life here is perfect but I just heard of the glories of Tunisia from folks met at breakfast. Hmmmm
He: Ok great Alexis I will keep an eye out for your payment. I am not often referred to as a charity, I wonder if the I can tell the tax man that and claim some back. (Another reason I need a a new mac, something of a write-off). The stats seem to be returning to our normal results. Anyway here is a a list for now by the top country. I will try and get our standard report in the meantime. Have a good one. Malaysia seem nice.
Attached to the email were my most recent statistics, which you shall see. Brought joy to my heart for many reasons. Countries in order of importance. USA, first, Canada, second; Saudi Arabia, third ; Malaysia fourth
I thought Saudi Arabia had drifted into obscurity so glad to see they are still there as I shall be addressing some Saudi concerns. I do wonder how the US readers are going to react when they see living and undeniable proof that freedom of religion in a hoax. Will make some more comments about statistics at the conclusion of the blog.
One recent evening, a song streamed from the Skyview Terrace Karaoke. The Skyview Terrace is ‘perched on the highest level of Penang Lexis Suites offering a breathtaking view of the sea. Fortunately for the few folk close by I did not sing in Karaoke manner but mouthed the words that are safe in my memory bank. (Remember reading that those with Alzheimers can often remember words to songs when nothing else remains). This is is such an inspirational song often played in Karaoke bars and at Western weddings. First some of the lyrics – I invite you to YouTube the words rather than read them.
A Thousand Years
The day we met
Frozen I held my breath
Right from the start
I knew that I’d found a home for my heart
Beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty and all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
There is a repetition of words, it ends with the following.
Darling, don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
The Songwriters: Christina Perri and David Hodges. Questioned as to the meaning of this song, it was said “The In the end, ‘A Thousand Years’ isn’t just a song; it’s an experience, an exploration of the depths of human emotion. It’s about the joy and pain of loving someone so deeply that the boundaries of time become meaningless.”
I have got news for them (and parenthetically) for you. It has even greater meaning. The greater (no greatest) love that is being spoken about, in my belief is Allah’s (SWT) love for those who believe in the One God. I did, upon my reversion to the faith, did indeed find a home for my heart. . My doubts did go away, I was not afraid. It seemed I loved Allah (SWT) from the beginning for a thousand years and I will love him for a thousand more. I am. And have been brave, Time brought me to Allah (SWT). I see now that I always believed I would find Him.
This thinking was enchanted by a dream, recalled upon my July 3, 2024 awakening. This is was happening In the dream I was driving the classic tan Porsche belonging to a man formerly of great importance in my former life. Suddenly realized I must have lost the key – desperately called upon one of my then close friends to help me. Not sure why I could not call him, get her to drive me to him, get his key and drive me back to pick the car up. But that was not considered. Suddenly dug deep in my jeans pocket, and there was the key!!
Dream interpretation has played a major role in my life, often looked to dreams to find meaning and direction. Out of habit did this as the dream seemed to have significance. It came to me – the key was Allah it was there the whole time – just as the song says. I need only to put the key in the ignition and drive off to reach my destination, down the Straight Path. The Porsche owner could not accuse me of stealing his car, he gave me the key, did he not? By the way, the real life Porsche owner, James Edgar, a psychiatrist, was not a good guy, he came to a bad end. Discovered his bad end recently and rather accidentally. To say the very least it made me profoundly happy the relationship ended many years ago. That man did not deserve me – it was clear at the time, now it must clearer! An interesting story, to be told at a later time, maybe – if there is a lesson to be learned by the exploring it. Dr. Edgar is probably dead now. Who knows and frankly, who cares? One thing for sure, I will not be running into him in Jannah.
Recently my email contained a blog offered by Yaqueen Institute. This particular jewel spoke of a special prayer one offers to Allah to help make a major decision. This is called the istikhara The blog offers excellent simple and inspiring advice. This is an example:
It is essential to grasp the profound simplicity of the du’a taught by our Prophet ﷺ. Istikhara is a sincere prayer for guidance, a humble request for Allah to pave the way for what is beneficial and to divert us from what is detrimental. It is not a search for signs, but a plea for divine wisdom and clarity. Many cultures have linked dreams with answers to one’s istikhara, yet we understand from the Sunnah that there are three types of dreams: those from Allah, imbued with meaning; the regurgitated thoughts of our nafs; and those from Shaytan [Sahih Muslim #2263]. We might wish to believe ourselves divinely inspired through our dreams, but often it is merely our nafs and the jumble of our daily thoughts manifesting. For instance, if we are contemplating a marriage proposal and praying istikhara, and this potential spouse appears frequently in our dreams, it might simply reflect our desire and preoccupation with that person.Reflect on the words of the du’a: “O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.” This supplication does not request Allah to reveal the path through dreams; rather, it seeks His guidance to facilitate what is truly beneficial and to make it easy for us.”
There has been some, shall we say, fall out, from yesterday’s blog. Interestingly from sources I would not have thought. Sent it to my WhatsApp folk, and some Instagram people – linking the blog telling them to, at least, look at the pictures and the reel. I received no response from the influential Saudi man who sent the reel. I am somewhat tempted to send him the following text message: “How does it feel to completely lose any and all respect I have for you?” He would never respond. He just wanted some kind of plaything, with my blue eyes. I sent a funny message to a recent Malaysian acquaintance. I had sent a message. He: May Allah bless you always.Me: Allah is at the moment. That is enough for me. Hahaha I worship. I am grateful. I pray. I write. I cheer. He sent two blue hearts, which invited this response. Me: Love the blue heart. Matches my blue eyes. Then today sent another message to him. Do they make brown hearts?? You have brown eyes right?????
The influential Saudi man has blue eyes, by the way. Unusual. Turkish heritage, according to his last name.
Did have a good day recovering from the writing of the serious blog. I had made an appointment to have my teeth cleaned. Turned into an amazing experience. The woman dentist and I took turns inspiring each other. It was the best teeth cleaning I have every experienced with the latest of dental technology. We spoke of many things. The name of her business is Skye Dentistry. During covid she was unable to work, so she wrote a kid’s book. I bought a copy and will include a photograph of the cover. It is darling!!! So informative, so fun. Brilliant actually. Every day it seems Malaysia has more to offer me. Mashallah! By the way, she said my mouth was in good health, that I had been taking good care of myself. I absolutely love the feeling of having clean teeth. Asked when I should come in next, learned it was six months hence. This was my response: “I am going to figure out how to dirty my teeth so I can come back sooner.” Of course, I was joking. She said I could come by and char anytime. That I can do. Just grab GRAB – only about fifteen minutes away from my Lexis Suites.
Received a message from Monash University, saying this about Malaysia. “Politically stable and safe, Malaysia is known for its stunning landscapes, cultural diversity and the warmth of its people with no shortage of cuisines, festivals and heritage traditions to experience. You’ll always have places to go, people to meet and treasures to discover.”
I am indeed blessed. Finally and at last at the ripe old age of 81. Better late than never.
Pictured shall be a book cover, the statistics, a monochromatic me except for the red glasses. The white scarf was a gift from a Medinah Saudi man, a stranger actually. There is an Instagram reel celebrating its receipt. Will see if I can find it. Also a photo of the play area in Skye Dental.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyDFkDtsk8E/?igsh=d2ZkOTBuamxkbThr
