The April 17 Project: Days 3, 4 and 5

So I'm a little behind on uploading these but this post should compensate and explain just a little as to how busy and hectic these past few days have been.

Happy reading!

Day Three - A Dream

I was once surfing the net and saw a beautiful picture of the dome of Imam Hussain (as) from the album of pics from the Spiritual Journeys page. I has never seen it before as I had never had the chance to go to Iraq. I fell asleep that night being incredibly upset and wishing for the chance to get to make that visitation.

That night I dreamt I was walking down the streets of some unknown place. It was completely dark and I was scared of my surroundings, jumping at every sound. I kept walking till my eyes fell upon the dome of Imam Hussain (as). I kept running towards it until I was standing in its shadow.

I woke up intensely happy, having a feeling that I would get the chance to see it soon. Three months later, I was invited by the Imam's in Iraq and Iran to visit them and luckily, I would end up going to Iraq twice that same year.

Good things come to those who wait, and there is no sweeter wait than the lover and the beloved being united.

Day Four

Birthday's are pretty awesome, especially when it's your own one. I got invited by one of my friends from uni and though I knew I really shouldn't (what with my intensely busy schedule for the weekend) I decided on going... And I'm glad I did!

Good food, good company, long drives and catching up with people who used to be such a huge part of your life. The only thing I realised and kind of missed was their presence. When you see someone everyday for a whole year, you get used to the details of it but when you each grow busy with the demands of life, you start to miss out on so much. Thank God for gatherings and chances to rekindle those special moments.

Day Five - The Circle of Life

So yesterday was the celebration of a birthday. Today was insanely packed with more events - a baby shower followed by a funeral and topped off with a visitation of a loved one in hospital. And the best part? Tomorrow there's the wedding of a person who we all consider to be family.

I realised that I had pretty much all the important life stages covered in the space of three days. From birth, to growing older, to a wedding, to sick days and then death. How strange is it that they are to be lined up in such a way that three days symbolise the life we live?

It's a beautiful thing to have a new life brought into the world, to see the happiness of those who welcome our arrival. We grow and mature, celebrating each year for the fact that we are alive and well. We continue on the path till we find someone who becomes the completion of our faith and our souls. We have ups and downs, days where we are reminded of our fragile nature. Then we are laid down to rest and to our Lord our souls return.

All that we leave behind is our good name and our actions which immortalise us in the heats and minds of those we have lived with.

With this, maybe these small worlds and this April 17 Project is another way for me to immortalise myself and leave my mark on the world. Maybe one person will read it and think, ahhh, this is her story and this is how she lived.