With the sun shining brightly through the falling leaves and the excitement of trophies at the end of the afternoon, it was the perfect day for the last session of the 2013 Fall Open Gym season. Some of the kids were on fire, running laps, swinging on the swings and engaging in conversation with their high school partners. Others, like Lil D, were not feeling it so much, having minor meltdowns, crying spells and literal dragging of the feet. But... Read more
It’s the milestones that have tripped me up over the years, causing me to focus on what wasn’t happening in the time it should happen, instead of the little, incremental steps forward (and backward, and then forward again) that were unfolding in front of my eyes. Milestones are a tricky thing. Pediatricians tell you when a child should roll over, sit up, crawl, walk, start to babble, say Mama and Dada, imitate your sounds and point to something. When they... Read more
By Saman Qureshi This is a guest post by Saman Qureshi, a colleague and friend of mine who blogs at Biscuits and Banarsi. Saman attended the Islamic Relief USA Day of Dignity Eid Festival two weeks back, where she and her children happened to wander over to the Special Needs Eids celebration, hosted by MAS-DC (Muslim American Society, DC Chapter). I had planned to attend the event with Lil D and our family and has traveled to the Northern Virginia/DC/Maryland area... Read more
Yes, this is a departure from what I tend to write, whether it’s autism and family related or even about Muslims in America. Well, it relates to Muslims in America, but I admit upfront that it’s snarky and out of character. But what can I say? Pamela Gellar brings it out in me. To preface – the husband and I are watching Breaking Bad. Lots of it. We got on the bandwagon as the series was ending in a blaze... Read more
My friend tagged me in a post on Facebook – a beautiful video made of moms being asked how they would describe themselves as mothers. And in the snippets aired, the moms all talked about things they didn’t like about themselves as parents, or wanted to improve: Be more patience. Think before speaking. Be more confident as a mother. Then, the moms were brought back to watch videos of their children describing them. And here, the way the children viewed... Read more
I stood in the lunchroom of my son’s school watching him go through his routine – get his lunch from the refrigerator, unzip his lunch box and take the Tupperware filled with biryani (of course he had biryani for lunch!) out and wait for his turn at the microwave. Then, when his turn came, he removed the lid and heated up his food, then took it to his table near the window to eat. This was all done with multiple... Read more
There are a few activities we really look forward to every year with Lil D, events geared towards the special needs population that embrace them and cater to their different needs; events that make every effort of accommodation and celebrate individuals with different abilities. These are the events where we can take easy breaths and not worry over the thousand little details we usually worry about. The events where we can say, these is our tribe, and nothing my kid... Read more
The Hajjis are gathered on the plains of Arafat, the holiest, most wondrous day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage — standing in prayer until the sun sets. Muslims are taught that God and his angels come down from the heavens and get as near as possible to the pilgrims, and He listens to the fervent, yearning prayers pouring forth from lips and hearts. And those prayers of Hajj pilgrims are surely answered, we are also taught. Because this pilgrimage, which... Read more
Ok, this is my Sally Fields moment – you like me! You really, really like me! And not just me – but I feel your love for all the great bloggers, writers and columnists at the Patheos Muslim Channel, who throw their passion into their writing and share it with you. I’m so excited that six of our bloggers and upcoming bloggers have been nominated for a Brass Crescent award this year, which honors the best from the Muslim Blogosphere.... Read more
This was the texting conversation had with a good friend of mine a few days after my family (and a few others) had enjoyed a dinner party at her place: Her- “Oh! And I found Lil D’s underpants. They were in the attic.” Me – “Ha! He went all the way up there? Embarrassing. You have a bathroom up there?” Her – “Yes we do. Don’t worry about it at all. I’ll give it to you next time.” Me –... Read more
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