Iman

I lived in Wisconsin for about 6 months. I have many sentimental feelings about it for so many reasons. My husband and I had been married for only 6 months… he had just graduated and was about to embark on his first job. I remember the day we left Indiana. He had to say good-bye to all the friends he had known and grown close to for 7 years. Our bags and boxes were packed… we felt like we were really starting life.

My daughter was born in Milwaukee, WI. I remember how we used to drive down a particular highway – we would see a sign that said “Apple Picking … Fresh Apple Pies Here”. It was winter then and I said, “Let’s take Ms Muffet there the next apple picking season OK? She should be big enough to enjoy it by that time.” But then Sept 11 happened and we left the USA before the year was out.

I still think about Wisconsin and the apple farm… ah, memories.

We went to Madeenah al Munawwarah en route our umrah. I simply loved it… I remember Raw’a, the beautiful young sister who tried so hard to talk to me despite her rudimentary English. She will never know how she assuaged the anger I felt at another lady who slighted my little daughter and I… or perhaps she did S I remember Majeeda whose daughter and nieces doted on my baby. I want to go back in shaa Allah… who knows, for good S

My father had passed away and during her iddah (mandatory mourning period of about 4 months), my mum thought about performing umrah again. She needed to fortify her faith and we did too. So, my husband, my little daughter and I accompanied her. It was a beautiful experience and I really want to go back there again soon in shaa Allah. This time for Hajj… May Allah make it possible ameen.