October 2nd

My father passed away ten days ago.  The pain and hurt when he was passing his last days in the hospital, and the sadness and emptiness keep me from expressing more.  But we miss him more and more every day.  We are realizing that death is a real test, and that things don't get easier that quickly.  I'm not sure when they will, but I think about him every day, every moment, regretting, wishing, wanting. 

My only solace is that he was a good man, and that I hope Allah gathers me with him in the best  place in the Hereafter.

Why Do We Only Post Bad News?

It's been a long time... My hubby has left his permanent job in Baghdad but frequently travels back for work.  He's there today and called me to ask about my sick father who I'm spending time with at the hospital.  I was telling him all about my news and chiding him for not calling me ten times a day to ask about my father.  And then he told me, "You didn't ask me about my news." 

I felt a tiny bit bad and asked him about his news.  His former driver, Ali, who still helps him out on occasion, went out last night to take a sick neighbor's child to the hospital.  On his way back (late at night) and near a Badr check point, a car with flashing lights pulled up next to him and shot him in the face.  The police at the check point started chasing the car and shooting at it, and were able to keep its inhabitants from letting loose any other shots. 

Ali, father of two little kids, is in stable condition in the hospital.  Allah yishfeeh. I have no idea as to the extent of the gun shot damage.  I know this guy. He drove me to the few prenatal visits I had when I was in Baghdad, pregnant with my second daughter.  I hope him a full recovery with no side effects.

Projected Parliament Seats for 2010 Iraqi Elections

My hubby sat down and did a few calculations today for the election results.  Following are the projected number of seats each party will be getting in Parliament:

1. State of Law (Maliki): 88 Seats
2. Allawi:  86 Seats
3. Iraqi National Alliance (ISCI and Sadrists): 65 Seats
4. Kurds: 40 Seats
5. Tawafuq:  8 Seats
6. Bolani: 5 Seats
7. KIU (Kurd. Islamic Union): 5 Seats
8. Goran: 10 Seats
9. Kurds Jama Islamiah:  3 Seats

Three Cups of Tea

Just finished reading Three Cups of Tea, a book about Greg Mortenson's work.  Inspiring.  Inspirational. Amazing.  A man who had a mission deeply defined in his heart, gave up all his needs in life, including a home at one point in time, and sleep, to make this desire a reality.  I hope I can learn from him.  Definitely more thoughts to come on it. 

My hats off to Greg Mortenson, Jean Hoerci, Haji Ali and all the real people who amazed me, inspired me and gave me a good feeling about humanity.  May Allah bless them and give them peace in their hearts.

Hajj 2009

 


















I had the ultimate pleasure and blessing of performing Hajj this year.  It's a journey that will live in my heart forever.

I was lucky enough to take these shots.  Nothing can be as grand as seeing three million people from every village, city, country of the world. From every economic, social, ethnic situation.  All coming together seeking Him.

May it be repeated again, and accepted by Him.

My pics on Flickr.