Shamir has returned from Thailand. We exchanged Good Morning greetings.
Me: How does it feel to be back?
He: Good!
Me: Good Great! Great to have you back. There is a strange USA expression ‘back in the saddle again’ Not sure what it means. I guess I gotta look it up .
“Resuming something after an absence. Despite the presence of “saddle,” this phrase is rarely used in reference to riding horses. Examples used in sentences now provided.
I needed to take a break for a bit, but now, I’m back in the saddle.
You’ve mourned long enough—it’s time to get back in the saddle and date again.
I need to take today off to deal with this cold, but I should be back in the saddle on Monday.”
So we just got that out of the way and I guess we can get onto bigger and better things. I do find it constantly amazing that stupid expressions come to mind and almost always they do have relevant meanings. Well, somewhat relevant. Hahaha
I am an inveterate list maker. Shamir and I are getting together discussing things and making plans. I ALWAYS make a list. Nesh does too, by the way. The thing I love best is crossing things off the list as they are accomplished. I found it best to start with easy things and work up to more difficult tasks. If lists are not made, things get forgotten. Not sure how long I have been doing this, it is rather like second nature to me now.
(Inveterate means having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change). My list-making is not going to change, not any time soon anyway.
This has been a rather, shall we say, uneven morning. Began somewhat lazily – did not send off morning greetings. Awoke for morning prayer but then went back to sleep. I did write the blessed friend whose photography graced my blog and then later, the blog breakdown.
Me: Your amazing photo made it to the big time. (She sent smiley emoji in response).
On my blog and then the feature photo on my Instagram breakdown. Upon your request, your name not mentioned. But I did not take credit for it. Hahah
She responded, took my breath away. .
She: Family gathering at mosque now awaiting for body to be cleansed, then for jenazah prayers before the burial.
Me: Oh my goodness. What a profound and heart breaking moment. My prayers are with you all. I wonder what my death will be like as I have no family. Strangers will wash me but I am sure with love. I am crying as I write this.
She responded, in the most meaningful manner.
She: No one knows what, when, how and who will be there to handle us when we depart for the next world. Whether or not one has family, and, if yes, will family be there? Will we be int he same place/country/continent? No one knows except Allah.
I was so grateful for her words of truth and wisdom. I responded with much feeling.
Me: Alhaamduillah.
This correspondence took place in the Lyf breakfast room. Eva, an absolutely charming and efficient staff member was helping me make my signature eggs, treating my arm AND we were having a very serious conversation as she smilingly slaved away.
Me: I have been talking about my inevitable death and the different rituals that will surround it. Prior to my becoming a Muslim, I was an atheist. My will specified I should be cut off life support and I should be cremated – put in a furnace, in other words. Everything has changed during this past four years. I shall die a natural death, be washed, placed in a white shroud and buried. In Sha Allah, not go to hell fire but to Jannah. No furnace for me is my new aspiration.
Not keeping these thoughts to myself, instead sharing them with an understanding person, was such a gift. It cheered me somewhat. I retreated to my room, texting Shamir.
Me: Being an old lady. In bed with a hot water bottle, neck thing, writing and thinking of death. Will try and cheer up soon. Bad enough I gotta be around miserable me. Too cruel for you too
He sent a funny Cheer Up GIF.
Me: It helped. Thanks
Then we made definite plans of getting together
Somewhere is the midst of all this I communicated with Nesh, he letting me know his blog breakdown has been posted, and, as usual my thoughts were shared.
He: Ahhh. I see. I hope this cheers you up a little because the blog breakdown for yesterday’s blog is up now Alexis. Check it out!!
Me: Totally in awe again. First the choice of that photo. Then the short, sweet and to the point insight about the opposites that give life meaning – life/death, joy/sorrow, bitter/sweet etc etc etc. Then to go back to the attributes and meaning of Shamir and my name. Wow, Mashallah and all that. Sheer genius!!
Here is your opportunity to read the work of a sheer genius, if you have not already.
An Unusual Evening, a special morning …and reminders of faith and life that followed
“Life is never about just one thing. It’s joy and loss, sunrise and sunset, laughter and grief. Yesterday I lived all of it in the span of a few hours.
From Churchill’s reminder that enthusiasm is success, to the miracle of a sunrise photo, to news of a loved one’s passing, it all just felt like Allah’s way of serving reminders into my day. Gratitude, Loss, Faith, Awe.
And then, almost by design, a blog breakdown on the meaning of names in Islam. My name, Alaa means elevation, nobility, gratitude and honor. Shamir’s name strength and bravery. Together we laugh and call ourselves The Dream Team.
Maybe that’s what life really is, a mix of grief and gratitude, ordinary mornings and extraordinary reminders. Each thread woven with purpose.”
Instagram just informed me that my reel and post reviews are at 4.8 K views. Up 42% from previous weeks. 50% of my views are from non-followers which is an increase of 140% from my previous week. Off hand I would say this:
Me: Nesh, this is working!!!!!! Hahaha
The Dream Team got together. The list was endless, went on for two pages. However, all items were checked off with ease. I have peace mind for many reasons. Air and hotel reservations for my next visa run – back to Jakarta. But not only that! Great news from the RCMP. I am applying for Malaysia as my second home using my Canadian passport which was renewed for ten years. The hugest hurdle is to prove that I am not a criminal, submitting my fingerprints through one of the most involved processes known to man. I am almost there – in five to ten business days I should receive clearance. I somewhat joyously wrote to someone near and dear.
Me: Some headway being made with second home application. So this may be the last visa run.
She: I see. Hopefully all is a success.
Me: Going good.
Two items on the list required the services of Shamir as cameraman. Two reels shall appear on YouTube soon. You will be able to see me reading from two books. One called I am Awesome, I am Special. The other book, co authored by me In Contemplation and In Conversation Companionship at the Tate Britain
Photographs of the covers of both books as well as a Foodie photograph. Last evening enjoyed the Smoked Chicken. Best chicken I have ever eaten, no doubt about that! Details will be shared later, in tomorrow’s blog. If you are lucky. Hahahaha
