There are days when I really miss you.

 

I remember things.

Our conversations;

your safe hugs;

how much love I felt for you.

 

And, ya Allah, it kills me everytime.

 

My beautiful sister welcomed her 40th year this

week as a Hajjah, in the most wondrous of cities.

 

When I was younger I always thought I wanted

to be like Kakna, at least as far as character goes.

 

13 years and a beaten cancer later, that desire has

not changed. If anything, it is stronger than ever.

 

Have you met my sister and her amazing spirit?

If you are lucky enough to know her, then you will

also know that this fighter only gets better with age.

 

To one of the strongest women in my life.

Te amo.

 

Driving up at 4am tomorrow to

Kedah for the kids of Malaysia.

 

InsyaAllah this trip will be a

fruitful one. Keep us safe on

the road, please, thank You.

 

/edit:

24 hours of no sleep and 9 hours on the road

later, I now go to sleep with a smile on my face

at having glimpsed into the future of this country.

 

These kids touched my heart today.

I have so much respect for teachers, and

even more for those under Teach for Malaysia.

 

This is, truly, the noblest of professions.

 

Best of all, on the way home tonight, Dad texted:

“Mama’s biopsy results are out. It’s benign.”

 

Today was amazing, Alhamdulillah.

 

Mama goes into surgery tomorrow

to remove a strange lump. I am praying,

praying, praying for a positive diagnosis.