I decided to tell the whole world how I feel toward you..
Dear Tant Aliaa –
I love your email, especially when you mentioned “ My radiant daughter Nourshams (Arabic=sun light) has fallen asleep so many nights hugging her laptop, and I can only imagine what my kids will be doing at your age.” My eyes started to fill with tears, and my heart started to ache because I miss you so much and we are so far apart from each other. When you told me about my little siblings – Ali and Rana, I can see them in front of me – Rana studying Arabic joyfully while Ali keep resisting, Ali keep eating his grandma’s cooking and enjoying the food so much! I miss them so much. I miss our time cooking together in our lovely kitchen. That kitchen has so much barakah! Masha Allah. I wish I spent more time with all of you when I was in the US. Oh.. I wish.
Tant Aliaa,
In your email, now I understand how names really influence people’s characteristics. Like your name, Aliaa (mean: High up), I always look up to you. I always want to be like you. I want to smile like you, laugh like you, enjoy the nature like you, be a host like you, be a mother like you. You know, I always love coming to your house because you make me feel like home. I even have my own bedroom! I love your cooking too! You kept telling me your cooking is not good enough, but trust me, you made the food with love, so they’re always delicious!
Speaking about your love of nature – you told me many times to listen carefully when we were sitting on the lawn. You told me to listen carefully how the trees and wind are singing together. Alhamdulillah, when I was in Damascus, Syria, I sat on the top of a mountain and I listened carefully. I found peace. I heard the wind. I did not hear anymore the noise from cars honking and people shouting in the middle of the city. Then there were sounds of Adhan everywhere. Mosques’ minarates started to turn green. It’s maghrib time. Masha Allah, it’s magical. The Adhans seemed to blend in with the music of nature. The wind and adhan were like in an orchestra! Masha Allah. I wish you were there with me. I tried to tell other people to listen carefully, but I guess I am not as good as you, Tant Aliaa, in convincing people.
My mother,
Of course you are worried about Ali and Rana. My mom worried about me all the time. Alhamdulillah, Ali, Rana, and me always have our mothers’ dua surrounding us 24/7! 
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said : “A mother’s dua for her children is very swiftly accepted”
I was stubborn when I was a child, but my mom never gave up in ‘forcing’ me to go to Islamic classes. Alhamdulillah, because of all her effort, I am holding firm to Islam. May Allah swt rewards both of you, mothers, the highest Jannah! Ameen! I love both of you so much.
Last but not least, you will be always in my heart forever.
Love,
Nourshams
