And the Minutes Tick By

I am waiting.

I know the time will come. I just don’t know when.

I try to get things done, and piddle around finding things to do. I prepare as best as I can think of, yet I feel it’s never enough.

I know my life is going to change forever, yet in the back of my mind I feel calm.

I finish some work, start some more, and keep on counting the days, wondering when. Always wondering.

Who knew that awaiting birth was so similar to awaiting death?

I know I am going to die. Every day I try to save something to the side to help me on that day, and after it.

I finish work that I think will help me, and start more work, always wondering: Will this be enough?

The days pass calmly, with nothing happening and no indication of what is to come. I slip into a sense of false security.

And I keep preparing. For my death, and the birth of my son.  I feel bad that I am preparing more these days for the latter than for the former.

I lie awake at night, crying. I pray to Allah to help me prepare for death with the same fervor I am preparing for life.

Asiya Akyurt

Asiya lives in Virginia with her husband and twin daughters. She is an active MAS member, and enjoys homeschooling herself and her daughters.