Ramzan 2012

I have seen 21 months of Ramzan come and go.. Of course I don't remember the very early ones but as far as I can, the month's always been familiar. 

I remember the moon sighting, the pre-Ramzan preparations, I remember the exchange of cards. I remember Mama warning not to wake us up for sahoor if we weren't going to pray namaz.. "bhooke rehne ka koi faida nai agar ibadat nai karni" - that's how she put it and we got in the habit. I remember her asking us what to make for iftaar.. it wasn't because she didn't know what to make, I guess she wanted us to be a part of it - the whole way. I remember the iftaar dawats and of course, I remember the egg rolls. 

A couple years ago, Papa stopped fasting. He tried, but the diabetes and the handful of medicines he had to take throughout the day kind of made it impossible. Yet, he used to wake up for sahoor, before all of us. I remember waking up to "..aik khushgawar subah appki muntazir hai" countless times and each time it'd put a smile on my face. I remember the pre-iftaar Zikr and recitation Papa used to do ..and I remember the Dua. I also remember the sound of "Attack!" in our living room as the alarm went off for iftaar..

Ramzan has always been familiar......... This one, not so much.

I always say there should be a little struggle when you're fasting nai tau mazza nai ata.. how can you learn to be patient if there isn't struggle?... Well..as far as that goes, I think we'll be alright.... Struggle, it is.


--
Following this, Italy DID beat Germany and there WAS a final between Spain and Italy, and Spain DID win. Wish I had prayed for something else =|