Eid Mubarak! Day 3

The kids donned on their Eid attire again. We were the only family there. The rest of them were students, single and very much on the ho hum if you know what I mean. I know. I was 'been there and done that'.

A group of students from Cleveland came in and there was one girl among them. She sat with D and me and looking at N, asked us,

"Family dia ni tinggal kat sini ke?"

For a while I had assumed she knew I was N's mother. After a while though, it appeared that she didn't and we replied heartily, "Yes."

She said I didn't look like I have three children. Now that is something really nice to hear!

Sunday was a good day but I was struck with a very great disappointment and depression at having witnessed something I didn't expect. Suffice it to say, it's really depressing to find out that people change. Even though we don't have any business judging people by their attire and appearances, it is apparent that Iman can't be hidden. When iman is present, its effect and presence is felt. When a change occurs as obvious as it did before my eyes then, I could see it as a downward movement, because prior to that, it was better, at least on the surface. We can't judge what's in people's heart and should have no business doing so. Even the hypocrites during the times of the sahaba were considered Muslims unless they announced it. That's between them and Allah, and not for us to judge.

Anyway, I hope it's a temporary stumble for her sake.

Back home, I had a talk with the kids. H had asked me on the way to the van,

"Why don't some people wear tudung(hijab)?"

We replied with "I don't know."

We didn't talk at all about it for fear of backbiting, but I wanted to make sure the kids understand what was going on.

So I hashed out a lesson on how important it is to keep our hearts pure and keep ourselves close to Allah so we don't veer away. Even minute insignificant things can steer us further away from Allah. Before we know it we can be million zillion of miles away from where we want to be.

Overall, the day had a somber mood to it, at least for us adults. We silently sat watching TV, not saying anything to each other, though I sensed that we were probably both thinking the same thing. I still can't get over how it happened.

Since it was pretty windy that afternoon, we let the kids fly their kites. I really marvel at their kite flying skills, because I have none! Even H knows how to steer his kite. However, his coughing sounded pneumonia-like. I resolved to bring him to the doctor Monday.

Over was our Eid weekend. All in all, it was a great Eid Alhamdulillah! May we see another one as we ascend up the ladder of iman insyaallah. Ameen...