I’m in lovely Ottawa visiting one of my best friends, Malika, and her two adorable, rambunctious daughters, both under three. She went through a difficult divorce in Pureland last year and is engaged in a custody battle in Canada now and I’m here to provide company and support in whatever way I can.
I am amazed at her serenity and iman in the face of the onslaught, masha-Allah.
We paddleboated around the lake yesterday evening and then sipped lattes near the water. The kids, who had been quite happy with the first activity, started losing it at the cafe.
Remind me when I order my children from heaven that they should be the type who love spending long, quiet hours at sidewalk cafes overlooking pristine natural wonders! 
My latest article, Choosing Islam, is up. Since I’m traveling and up for chemo at the end of the month, I’m reworking ideas/essays from this blog, so regular readers will recognize some of the offerings.
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June 21, 2006 at 4:17 pm
otowi
I love what parts of Canada I’ve seen.
May Allah swt grant the best outcome for your friend quickly and easily insha’allah.
Prayers for your health sis.
Going to read your article, much anticipation here!
June 21, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Rachel
Wonderful article, as ever!
June 21, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Daughter of Adam
Salam x x x
A lovey read – thanks for sharing that.
God give you aafiyah my love & make your illness a means of cleansing your being x x
Wasalam, love and duas
Bint-eh Adam
June 22, 2006 at 12:34 am
TwennyTwo
Salaams,
EXCELLENT article.
I didn’t have the experience of growing up with Islam, but I soooo identify with the push-and-pull of practice and Believing. I identified with what you said, masha’Allah.
peace
TwennyTwo
June 22, 2006 at 3:26 pm
wayfarer
You write so beautifully….mashAllah. I absolutely love reading your pieces. So calming…
LOL @ “Remind me when I order my children from heaven that they should be the type who love spending long, quiet hours at sidewalk cafes overlooking pristine natural wonders!
”
Oh how i wish!
June 23, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Basil
Make sure to include in the children order that they will:
* Potty train themselves at age 1.
* Always react rationally; no tantrums.
* Eat whatever we give them; no questions asked.
* Sleep for 8 hours at a time; twice daily.
June 24, 2006 at 4:04 am
Robyn
You have such a way with words. Very nice article.
June 24, 2006 at 4:05 am
umm ali
As salaamu alaykum sis,
That article was like water to my parched soul. It really resonated with me deeply.
June 24, 2006 at 6:09 am
Maleeha
beautiful article. i am struggling with these very issues myself. someone very close to me decided a while back that they find more solace and happiness in being an atheist than in islam. ever since then, my own faith is off-kilter. i’m at the stage where you were in your youth – doing the outward motions for fear of some hell, but not sure why else i should be doing them. but i’m constantly searching for the answer. hopefully, i will find it the way you did, inshaAllah.
prayers for your health.
June 28, 2006 at 12:31 am
Anonymous
Baraka:)
Much love to you. I read your article; long time a coming…Just knowing you I had a feeling you’d be writing someday and now I am seeing and reading the transforming ever evolving you!
It is so beautiful to witness your journey in this way.
Blessings and Hugs, ETN
June 30, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Lightness
Salamaat,
I was just thinking of you..and you said your treatment is at the end of june?
you are in my prayers…
may He make your struggles as light and beautiful as a thousand butterflies scattered in the wind…(amin)
June 30, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Shaykhspeara Sha'ira
Human strentgh will always be a source of inspiration for me. How some people like a persistent branch of a withered tree can withstand the storms and find courage to bloom in the seasons that come.
Enjoy your stay in the big O