Back to school with a BANG!

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Journaling:
Back to school is always fun and exciting. Our usual "Back to School" routine, is to take pics with the boys in front of the house before they set off to school. Usually, Omar will drive them to school and I'll stay home. However, when they're starting a new school or there's something big happening, I will hop in too, cheering them on and taking some extra pics.

This year, there was soo much going on this day!
- Omar was just admitted to ICU with pleurisy. This meant I had to do drop off on my own.
- It was Mobushir's first day of High school! Exciting!!
- I was also "Going Back to school"...

Yes, you read right... Since both boys were now on High school, and I had been wanting to learn Arabic and more about Deen, we decided it would be okay for me to go study further. Omar had seen or heard about a BA course at IPSA, and it sounded like the perfect fit for me. I would be back in time to fetch the boys most days, and when I ran late, they were old enough to safely walk home together.

I put on a brave face as we headed off to the local High School. Not sure why, probably because my head and heart was full and I was trying to juggle time to not drop the boys too early, but still allow time to pop in and see Omar in hospital and make it in time to my own first day, half an hour away. The only pic I took was a quick selfie in the car before I dropped them at school.

At the hospital I was greeted by a very sick looking Omar. He was alone in a darkened room and dosing when I arrived. I had so many doubts about whether I should skip my 1st day and rather stay with him, but he insisted. So off I went with an anxious mind and heavy heart. I clarified by intention to do this to draw closer to my Creator, Allah swa, and prayed for my hubby's safety and full recover and peace for my worried and conflicted heart.

On arrival I explained that my husband was in ICU and I couldn't put my cell off in case the hospital needed to reach me. They were very understanding and compassionate. My day flew by without incident and the more I was there, the more excited I got about the course. I remember listening to the Shuyugh speak about the rewards of studying the Deen of Allah, quoting Quranic ayat and hadith and being moved to tears. Despite everything going on, this just felt soo right. This is where I longed to be. This is what I longed to be, a scholar of Deen. I was soo overwhelmingly grateful and still feeling sooo guilty!!! Would I be able to juggle it all?!? I would do my best, one step at a time, putting my faith and trust in Allah.

I went to the hospital after class and was thrilled to see Omar looking soo much better, Shukr Alhamdulilaah. The kids and I had all had good days and everything was looking bright and promising. I remember feeling soo grateful. What a day!

As I reflect back on this 1st day now, I can't help but think that Omar's recovery was so swift because we chose to put our Maker first. That I had a clear and good intention/niyyah despite the tests. And I feel like we made the right decision for us all.