Dearest Salima (and Noor),
Greetings from Wales. Ramadan Kareem.
Hope you are well and taking care of yourself during this lockdown and Ramadan.
Even though you described your letter/blog to be short, but it is so full of emotions. Even though you said "enough about me", we can never have enough of you. Somehow the bits you thought were about you were actually you thinking about others, and that is how I've always seen you: so selfless.
I am sorry about your friend. I do understand where you are coming from, perhaps it is for all of us to live more each day and try and make the lives of those surrounding us better. And perhaps forgive ourselves when we don't tick off all the things we want to do and the things we want to be. Let us be easy on ourselves when we don't have the energy to fight it all.
Yes and yes. I sell myself short and I feel under appreciated at times. I have felt replaceable lately as I have been asked to move to a different hospital in view of shortage of staff. It wasn't the fairest of situations and I am still not over it. But I am doing my bit to help.
It is almost 11pm here. I have been off for a few days. I have been reading. I have taken up home workouts. I have attempted mandazi and failed. I am planning to try it again. I have taken up Spanish on Duolingo. I have been on-and-off affected and down because of this lockdown but then I try and count my blessings. I am trying to boast to make my days not feel like a waste.
The main thought I think that has been constantly playing in my mind is my family. This lockdown has accentuated the distance between me and my family. I am glad me and Noor got to see everyone before all the travel restrictions. I am scared for family, my parents to be specific. I try to push these thoughts away, but this won't be a letter from the heart if I didn't share this thought. And perhaps in sharing it, I can try and push it back for awhile now.
What has been helping you to get through these difficult times?
Thank you for the first letter and this initiative. I am looking forward to the next one.
Yours,
Huda
