Father’s Day Musings
I haven’t been blogging much since I started a full-time job. Those who have ever followed my blog and published works know that writing is my passion. But a girl has to bring home the paycheck too — and take care of her kids — and there are only so many hours in a day.
I miss it. I miss writing, blogging- and if you know my heart- I have goals and dreams still. I am learning to not speak of them too much when it comes to writing. It’s best to let my readers know that I’m still here. And the flame has never gone out. And if God allows the time and wherewithal to publish more stuff- you will be the first to know. Thank you to those who have supported me in the past.
Now to thoughts on my mind today. It’s Saturday, 6/16/18. What a week! I turned 50 this week. It was Eid yesterday (and still today! Eid is a 3-day tradition.) And tomorrow is Father’s Day! We traditionally visit my father’s grave on Eid. Gone 21 years – my father never got to see the youngest of the grandkids. (I never fully have allowed myself to absorb the emotions surrounding that. It just sucks plain and simple- so what can you do? It’s Gods decree, so we accept it.) But we keep his memory alive where the kids KNOW Tata even though they didn’t know him. Just like I knew my great grandmother who my dad was soooo close to- even though I never met her.
Yesterday we found ourselves conversing at the gravesite as I thanked my dad for his progeny of my 2 kids. How he gave my son his musical talent and my daughter his Bulgarian stubbornness. (and charm! lol) And I’m sorry they never got to be with each other in this dunya. As I didn’t have grandparents either. It’s the legacy of our family.
Those who have followed my writing too might know how firmly I feel about strong father figures in a person’s life. I am not your modern, western feminista trying to be the dad in my household. That duty falls squarely on my husband- who does a fine job in the father department. We are raising a son- a man, not a wus. We are raising a daughter whose first love is her father. Just like my first love was my father. I’m blessed that my kids and I live a legacy of strong men in their lives. I just wish they could have known my father. Though they know him through the personalities of everyone in our family- as we are the offspring of this man. May we all be reunited together in the akirah.
My mother never knew her father- killed during WWII while she was in the womb. This is an empty spot at our family table that will never go unfelt. Tomorrow- I celebrate my husband, the father of my children. He is a father in the here and now- actively fathering, mentoring, loving and teaching our kids day in and day out. We remember the lost- but we must stop and celebrate the living!
I wish Eid Mubarak – Bajram Serif Mubarak Olsun- to all who celebrate! Happy Father’s Day! No matter who you are celebrating on Father’s Day- there are surely fathers or father figures in your life that immediately come to mind when you think of this day. If they are alive still—- reach out to them. Thank them- and wish them a happy day. This day is for them.
*Please forgive the wacky paragraph breaks or lack thereof. WordPress is being stubborn today and I’m dusting off the WordPress skills. 😛 Yasmina
About the Author
About the Author: I'm a Writer, Speaker and Muslim Activist. I'm a former Board Member of the #MyJihad Public Education Campaign.
Follow my blog at yasminareality.com or follow me on Twitter: @yasmina_reality. I'm also now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YasminaReality
Peace! More from this author.
Don't Miss the Next Great Post
If you enjoyed this blog post, subscribe below, and you'll receive an automatic email update when we publish new content.