Stop to smell the roses

Several months ago we went out with some friends who were expecting there first baby. At that time Iman had just started walking and we were learning an important lesson in life… to appreciate the small details in life that we often overlook because of our busy agendas. Iman would often stop to observe a bee dancing around a flower, she would stare at the birds in the sky and whenever she had the opportunity she would watch a line of ants busily crawling into their anthill.

I remember telling this friend of mine that children teach us to “stop and smell the roses”. A curious toddler will always find the time to slow down and look at something insignificant yet marvelously interesting. We hardly take time from our lives to look around us and notice things that are always there, but things we never see.

Last couple of days we’ve had some rain, and the first rain in Iman’s life that she was old enough to notice. Although the first rain of the season is always exciting for all the residents of Dubai (we don’t get much rain here!), it was Iman who showed this excitement the most. We had her stand at the window and look outside, and she kept looking up staring deep into the sky trying to find the source of the rain. When she realized that the “water” wasn’t coming from anywhere in particular, her attention shifted to the rain itself and she squealed in delight as each drop came splashing onto the window. Several times she moved back, thinking that the rain would come on her, and then she put her hand on the window to see if she could touch the oncoming water. More to her fascination, her breath left a clean sheet of fog on the window which she could trace her finger on. After a while we opened the window and allowed her to stick her hand out as the water fell on it. Iman tried to close her hand in time to “catch” the rain, and then laughed as the water slipped through her fingers. She stood amazed for the longest time, trying to understand this strange new addition to her life. Rain.

*Just a note to let you all know that mom is feeling much better. She has regained complete mobility in her left arm and hand. Her face is a lot better, but she still shows slight signs of paralysis. However, she can eat and talk normally. Thank you for your continued prayers.