Even though I already said Yes....

Before I say "yes"

by Na'ima B. Robert

~

Here we stand, apart, not touching, not looking.

Tomorrow is our nikah.

But today, it is as if we are standing at the edge of the sea, the tide coming in to meet us.

We are almost ready to plunge into the rolling surf and swim out to the world of tomorrow, with its far-off horizon.

Families, words of praise and recommendation, questions and shy glances are behind us now.

You have seen what pleases you.

And I have seen what pleases me.

But I have not seen your heart.

And you have not seen mine.



And so now, before our fates are inextricably entwined, I will bare my heart to you.

Without reservations, I will show you the core of my being.

I am like a sapling, a tender sapling, whose roots reach eagerly to drink life’s goodness.

Take care when you hold the tender sapling between your fingers.



I was created by Allah, a delicate seed, born of my mother and father’s love.

My mother nurtured me in her womb

where an angel blew a soul into my tiny form.

My mother’s body cradled me and I breathed of her air.

She nourished me from herself and spoke love to me in the darkness.



I was born into the love of my parents and I began to grow.

Seed became seedling under their care and attention.

They showered me with praise, and my self-esteem sprouted.

They guided me with kindness and my character blossomed.

They weeded the world around me so that I could grow strong and pure.

And now that my first buds are about to open, they have entrusted me to you.



How will you tend me?



Will you coax my buds to unfurl with words of love and kind attention?

Or will you pluck them before they’re ready, crushing their new petals and delicate stems?



When I bring forth delicate blossoms of talent and inspiration,

Will you smile at their dreaming petals and share in the blush of hope?

Or will you watch as blossoms wither under your disapproving gaze,

Your criticism, your scorn, and your self-righteous censure?



Will you guide my wilder branches, gently, coaxing them to grow straight and true?

Or will you simply break off the ones that displease you, trampling them carelessly underfoot?



And when, insha Allah, I come to bear your children, will you continue to water me?

Or will you pluck those precious fruits, one by one, and turn away from the empty branches?



And when my trunk grows wide and thick with age, will you marvel at my strength?

Or will you recoil from touching my rough, brown bark?



When the years have become mere memories, will you admire how tall we have grown?

Or will your restless, selfish heart long to reach out for another sapling?



When I am as weak as the waving branches of a weeping willow – will you protect me?

When I am as strong as the trunk of the mighty Redwood tree – will you support me?

When I am as wise as the age rings of the old, old oak tree – will you respect me?

When I am as foolish as the fickle blossoms of early Spring – will you be patient with me?

When I am as fragile as the flowers of a jasmine tree – will you keep me safe?

When I am as bold as the roots that break through concrete – will you believe in me?



How will you tend me?



For now I have shown you my heart, its dreams, its hopes and fears.

Look carefully as we stand at the edge of the water.

Are you willing to bare your soul and show your heart to me?

So that I feel safe as the two of us swim on out to sea.



Remember that I am like a sapling, a creation of Allah.

Take care when you hold me between your fingers.

~

© 2005 Na'ima B. Robert

To blog or not to blog....

hmmm....haven't updated in a very long time...it seems that the majority of my friends with blogs have either deleted theirs or they remain as inactive as mine. i'm contemplating if i should resume or not. possibly start a new blog with a new theme. my life is just not very intersting to write/read about. possibly a photo blog. i have tons of pictures that have yet to be published for my friends to see.

anyway i'm just rambling...stuck at work because the car dealer service people had a "hiccup". i'm sleepy and my eyes ache from staring at this computer for too long. i forgot my camera battery charger at my mom's house in arizona so i had to resort to my camera phone...alas what would i do without the ability to capture momemts of my life. my husband prefers his memory over pictures but i beg to differ. my memory is not the best and how could i share those memories to people who weren't there? a picture is worth a thousand words....and i'm not much of a talker anyway.

ever since i moved to michigan i've been trying to find a boba place. haven't had much luck. they are few and far between... as i was searching online today i came across this boba blog. It was quite amusing and listed a few places in detroit. Unfortunately they are not that close, but someday i will venture out. If you are big fan of boba you would enjoy some amusing stories.

until we meet again....

salaam.

America's Got Talent (Chicago) - Kashif

LOL go kasheeeeef! rock on yaar!

Girl's feet sliced off

Girl's feet sliced off on ride at Six Flags
(http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/440201,CST-NWS-rides23.article)

June 23, 2007

BY BRETT BARROUQUERE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Six Flags and Cedar Fair shut down eight more thrill rides around North America on Friday after a teenage girl's feet were sliced off during a ride in Kentucky.

Officials visited the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom to examine the Superman Tower of Power, where the accident happened Thursday. The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops them at speeds reaching 54 mph.

A cable broke loose on the ride, striking the 13-year-old girl in the legs, said Bill Clary, a spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which inspects amusement park rides.

The girl was taken to a hospital, where her condition was not immediately available Friday.

A similar ride at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee was among those shut down as a safety precaution, spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg said.

AP Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Hadith of the Week: ARRIVING at a REST STOP??

[Quran]
"The life of this world is just the enjoyment of delusion"
- Surah Al 'Imran, 185

[Lessons from this verse]
See the materialism of this world for what it is. It's just a
rest stop, just some shade, on the highway to the hereafter.
Treat it as such.

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef

Grad Time Round 2

Its that time a year again....again....Graduation fever is over is Arizona, but its just beginning in Cali! I'm almost on my way to the airport to spend the weekend with two wonderful graduates Sumi and Samboosa!!

Mabrook to them both. May Allah bless them and help them to acheive all that they dream of.

Hadith of the Week: SUCCESS is calling YOU

[Hadith]
"Come to Success" - The Adhan, called 5 times a day from the
homes of Allah.

A blind man came to the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam,
and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have no guide to lead me to
the mosque, so grant me a leave from attending the congregational
prayer in the mosque."
The Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, gave him permission.
But after he turned away, he called him back, and said, "Do
you hear the call to prayer?"
He said, "Yes."
He said, "Then respond to it."
(Muslim)

[Lessons from this Hadith]
Nothing in this world will give you success like turning with
your body, mind, and soul to Allah ta'ala. Find your comfort in
the Masjid, find your success in Salah!

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef