It was June when I received the first email about a Sisters Ramadan Retreat (sponsored by S.I.S.T.E.R.S).\u00a0 I immediately thought back to last Ramadan when my son was four months old.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t fasting at that time since my little nursling was 100% dependent on me for nutrition.\u00a0 I remember that year being grateful for what I\u2019d been given, but also looking forward to future years when I would have the opportunity to focus on my spiritual growth.\u00a0 So this year, of course, I signed up on the spot, confirming with my husband that he could take care of our kids and household for the 48 hours I would be away.<\/p>\n
Nearly three months later and one week prior to the Retreat, I was feeling less excited and more nervously anxious about my approaching trip.\u00a0 Could my family really survive without me?\u00a0 Could I really survive without them?\u00a0 I came up with scenarios that would justify my not going.\u00a0 My daughter could get sick.\u00a0 The baby might be teething.\u00a0 Maybe I couldn\u2019t be without them for so long.\u00a0 Maybe I couldn\u2019t be without them at all.\u00a0 Maybe who I am was defined by my proximity to them.\u00a0 Or\u00a0 maybe it was time to stop thinking of reasons not to go. I packed a bag the night before sharing a car ride to rural Virginia with two other sisters.<\/p>\n
The retreat itself was everything that I hoped it would be.\u00a0 Visiting with dear friends was time well spent.\u00a0 And most importantly, being able to mentally focus on the blessing of Ramadan was sublime.<\/p>\n
When I came home, everything\u2014and everyone\u2014was in one piece.\u00a0 My children were happy to see their mommy. I was elated to see them.\u00a0 And I was delighted that although my husband managed to get by without me, he found that taking care of the kids on his own was enough of a challenge that he now appreciates me even more. It looks like everyone got something of this year\u2019s retreat.<\/p>\n