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| Mikhail's first picture as an 8 year old boy. I asked him, "How does it feel to be eight?" He replied, "Much the same, Papa." |
Today is Mikhail's eighth birthday. And the fact that he has lived this long despite having a dad like me is a true reflection of his spirit to survive, live and damn all. He has endured the test and tribulation of my temper, clumsiness, ignorance and donkey-like stubbornness to reach this milestone. Not bad.
Butt-Belch and Face-Fart
But in my own limited ways, I have tried to teach him about good and bad. Politics and Chelsea Football Club (baaaad...), God, Nabi Muhammad, Eric Cantona (Goood...). I have tried to put a different angle to everyday things, so that he might learn, "Mika, a fart is a butt-belch, and a belch is a face-fart. Think about it."
University of Love
A parent's love for his/her child is passionate, real and visceral. It is maddening like drug, but if we keep our eyes open and our ears attentive, we are in truth entering into a University of Love, with God and the Prophet as our Master and Don, and us majoring in the delicate and challenging science of raising a kid good.
93. Muhammad Mikhail
May he be a servant of God,
A lover of the Prophet,
A friend of the Angels,
A mureed of the Masters,
A caretaker of the Traditions,
And spring of charity
To all who may come to him in need.
Somewhere far, far down the line,
Perhaps he can also call himself
A son of mine.
That is my prayer for my son.
wa min Allah at-taufiq
Hate has no place in Islam
Love will show the Way
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