Friday, friendships, reflections
I had a special surprise today. A friend who had invited me to iftar (fast-breaking dinner) today brought me some roses to work. They were for my birthday on Monday, but they are lovely. They are dark pink and white, perfect colors and the perfect flower for Friday. I came home and put them in an old blue camping percolator I had (I don’t keep cut flowers as a general rule so I have no real vases) and they look so pretty and friendly :)
I had wanted to make a post about my iftar dinner, so perhaps I will use this time to do it.
Currently, those of the Muslim faith are observing Ramadan- the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month of fasting and prayer, and it is very difficult, especially when it falls in the summer months as it is now (in the Northern Hemisphere). This summer has been especially hot.
I am no stranger to fasting, though I rarely have done so for such a long time. Due to a handful of medical conditions all working around each other, fasting for several days is usually not a viable option for me. Am not, as a general rule, allowed to eat after 3pm any given day, so when I fast, I must eat in the morning and only break the fast the next morning and I still drink water.
I studied Islam to learn more about it, and have studied about Ramadan as extensively as I can from books and people, but I was very glad to be invited to iftar. I have gained so much more respect for my Muslim friends. To have no food or drink, not even water, pass their lips from sun up to sun down, then to eat a large meal so late at night and have special prayers and lessons afterwards? I did not eat very much at iftar because of my health reasons but I did stay until most everyone had dwindled away after last prayers. I did not get home until nearly 1am! Mind you, I’m usually in bed by like 10:45. I was barely able to get up by 9am.
My Muslim friends who fast so rigorously do not sleep until so late at night, then are up so early for sahur and morning prayers! Experiencing iftar, even if not as fully as my friends, was a blessing and I am ever grateful for all that I can learn.
I used to bring my coworker sweet breads for her Eid present, but I’m not sure that’s what I want to bring my friend. Any suggestions?