Today, March 21st, is the Middle Eastern Mother's Day. So never forget to celebrate this day with your tete and I. No matter how long I live here and how Canadian I am, I will never forget where I come from and who I am. This also means that I hope you won't forget your roots and where you come from as a result. You are half Syrian, half Canadian, born and raised in Canada. But even more importantly, you are first and foremost Muslim. Never ever forget that in your thoughts, manners, behaviour and goals in life. It is a gift that many spend their whole lives searching for. You were blessed to be born Muslim. Don't let misconceptions or misunderstandings about our religion throw you off course. God is always with you, so let Him guide you. Use the Holy Book and the prophets peace be upon them all be your example.
So, not to toot my own horn, but being nice and respectful, no matter how much you and i may disagree or not see eye to eye on, to both your father and I or any family member for that matter, is important. Not just on special days, but every day. Being respectful, will inshallah give you respect in return. Being a person of your word, to be trusted and respected, is something i will try to instill in you. It is my duty as your mother, and I am sure you will one day realize how hard of a job this is, to guide you as best as I can.
Your dad may accuse me of being a hippy, and I actually derive pleasure from this accusation, but I truly believe that a peaceful approach to life situations brings more peace to your own heart and life. Having said that, never ever let anyone push you around. The Prophet peace be upon him never let anyone abuse him. Even when he was abused, he turned the other cheek so long as he was learning something from it. He was smart. He knew when to turn the other cheek and when to defend himself. If harm was to come to him and his companions, he prayed for guidance from God, and defended all.
As your mother, if i don't get a chance to teach you any thing else, this would be what I wish to teach you: Never forget to be the best version of who you are and to strive to be the best God loving human you can be. You are loved by God. He wants what is best for you. This is why everything He asks of us, is not for His good, but for our own, for us to be the happiest and best versiobs of ourselves. He loves you an infinite number of times more than your own mother does, which is beyond comprehension. So do what He told you to do. Apply the five pillars in your life. Be helpful and kind. Always ask yourself: "What would the Prophet(s) peace be upon him(them) do?". Read the Quran and study it's history. Reading it by itself without learning the context will only lead to misunderstandings of the text and to misinformation. Spend time learning and teaching yourself about our beautiful religion. Put your trust in God and have faith in Him. He will not lead you astray and you will always be where you are meant to be. Everything happens for a reason. If something good happens, thank Him. If something bad happens, thank Him even more. We are learning from the moment we take our first breath until the moment we take our last. He has been and always will be there for you. Have faith and trust in Him. We are meant to take this journey and we are meant to work towards a good outcome in an eternity of heaven, God willing.
I love you with all my heart my wonderful son.
Image from: happymothersdayquotesimages.org
