Ramadan Eid

Happy Ramadan Eid.

It's been a difficult Ramadan for me. I am not sure how much I am actually supposed to celebrate and enjoy the good deeds of Eid when I have stopped fasting after the second half of Ramadan.

The previous year, we had a wonderful Eid with friends, and even some family, gatherings. It was wonderful to celebrate with everyone. This year, it feels so alone, without anyone. It literally felt as if we were the only people in the world. It's just us now. No one to go to, no one to come over. It really doesn't feel like an Eid. Even Eid in Rochester would have been better than this.

It's at times like these that I wish we were nearer my family, at least within driveable distance that we could have visited them to be together for important observances. Important dates, special times, crucial days where one human simply needs another.

Here's to lonely Eids

Thanksgiving 2012

As apparent, this will be our year of firsts. First anniversary, first new years, first birthdays, first Valentine's day, first Christmas, first Halloween and first Thanksgiving.

Having our first Thanksgiving, despite the fact that it's the genocide of Native Americans, was something I was looking forward to this year. Although away from our families, this became a time where we could learn to appreciate what we do have, though that may not be much, certainly a lot less then many, but however, the same of the opposite can be said.

We had a few of our friends over where we celebrated Thanksgiving, quite the immigrant way. Most of our friends were away and we were selective of the ones that did remain, as we wanted to refrain from some of them. I think the last decent Thanksgiving I had was, well, since never since my family never celebrates the American holiday and since 2009 I didn't have anyone to celebrate it with. All of these are entirely different blog posts at another time.

But we did have turkey, we had pumpkin pie, and we had wine, and beer and a long time gathered around the table, conversing into the wee hours of the night that well, didn't pertain to any singular topic, especially not Thanksgiving favorite topics.

It was ours, and for that it was special.