...is the process by which we create, discover, learn and grow with those we cherish most.

.

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak! (Blessed Eid)... We had a great family celebration this past weekend - and the kids have officially declared, "Eid is the best Mom!"

Eid 2010

Eid 2010

Eid 2010

Other than the unraveling of gifts we were blessed to give our children, our holy month,
Ramadan, allowed us to devote some extra time to the learning, understanding and celebration of our personal faiths - of being thankful to God, reflecting on our individual selves, and spending time with our loved ones...

Eid 2010

Eid 2010

Teaching our children about our religion can be somewhat trivial for Aaron and I - as both of us respectfully practice different faiths. And at the same time, very natural to the two of us, as we both teach from our hearts -

And while we have Ramadan each year to help us reset - and then the wonderful festivities of Eid, there are also opportunities within each day to parent from this perspective as well. As the kids continue to grow, continue to question... our answers to sometimes the unexplainable are under scrutiny by the most curious minds. With the passing of my cousin this past summer, I shared my sadness with Ava. Truth be told, I felt she was too young to understand - but she amazed me in her sincerity and compassion (my, what our kids teach us!). And talking about these complex facts of life at such a young age, I have discovered, is a natural part of who we are as a family - questioning, answering, and figuring out what it means, together -

This past Ramadan was a good time for us to talk more about our faiths, and introduce more concepts... We spent one afternoon recreating a chapter from My First Quran using shapes I had cut out of construction paper the night before.

My First Quran

Together they pieced together night and day... mountains and trees... and then used stickers to place animals, fish in water and humans...

Art Project






Art Project

After wards, the kids wanted to paint pictures for God...

A picture "for God"

The entire activity was mesmerizing to watch - and how each interpreted the familiar - the sun, sky, clouds, rain, trees - all the things they have always been drawing - but today, under a different set of eyes... Ava asked, "Mom, what does God look like?" [smile] and I heard myself pause for a moment. What do I think God looks like?


pictures "for God"

And that is another blessing in itself - of how our own children bring us closer... While reflecting on this, Noah shouted, "Hurry. I have to finish. God will be here in 2 minutes!"

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post... and sorry for not commenting sooner. Each year, the kids are embracing the idea of celebrating Eid a little more and more. At first, it was all about presents and cake. This year, I started noticing the change in Ava. She still enjoyed the presents... don't get me wrong - but she questioned why she was getting them. What is Eid?

    By the time we got done explaining to her, she asked when she could have another Eid.

    I wonder what next year will bring? Hopefully more questions! (and more presents too)

    ReplyDelete
  2. salaam zarlasht jaani,i'm so glad to see u all through your pictures,i really like the way you all celebrated EID with the traditional clothes and giving presents to the kids. Its a very good idea to teach your children about our culture and Holy day : )with love,your cousin khatol from California

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't know about your religion, but I would like to learn!! I love the pictures af all the family, the garments are so nice!!! Hope we can learn from each other!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A person necessarily help to make seriously posts I'd state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this actual put up incredible. Fantastic task!

    Feel free to visit my weblog ... Gafas De Sol Oakley

    ReplyDelete
  5. I tend not to drop a comment, but I read a few of
    the remarks on this page "Eid Mubarak". I actually do have
    2 questions for you if it's okay. Is it only me or does it appear like a few of the responses come across as if they are coming from brain dead people? :-P And, if you are posting at other online social sites, I'd like to keep up with you.
    Could you list of the complete urls of all your shared
    sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?


    My site; Louis Vuitton Bags

    ReplyDelete
  6. hi!,I love your writing so a lot! percentage we keep in touch more approximately your article on AOL?
    I require a specialist on this space to resolve my problem.
    Maybe that is you! Looking forward to see
    you.

    My website: Chaussures De Foot

    ReplyDelete
  7. My brother recommended I might like this blog.
    He was totally right. This post actually made my day.
    You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this
    info! Thanks!

    Here is my web blog - Nike Free 3.0

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing - I will respond to your comment here as well so check back! xo

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...