Vulnerability

Freewrite...

"I am not for sharing my vulnerabilities with anyone. Most are not able to hold them, while many refuse to see past their own. Some will turn them into weapons to hurt me further." 

- Aisha Mirza

Empathy

freewrite...

"Our people are those who see our flaws and mistakes, but stand by us. See our brokenness and do not attempt to fix us, but instead accept this shapes who we are. See our scars and allow us space to heal. These are our people... "- Aisha Mirza

South Asian Women's Heritage Project

I was with my favourite elders today, at the South Asian Women's Heritage project. Mash'Allah. I have to admit though it's my job I get so much out of working with them. I actually find it therapeutic and grounding.

They make my heart happy. Alhamdulillah

Today they shared pastimes. The difference between them and us is that, everything they did back then had a social and community aspect to it unlike now. Though we have so much technology which is created to improve communication, we are now more disconnected from one another than ever before.

I watched them while they all crocheted, and heard the constant chatter with moments of silence while they reflected. Listened to them share advice and tips, sometimes sharing their hardships, and many times their resilience in times of difficulty.

Most of all I witnessed their faces light up, while they remembered days of their past.

Today they taught me to crochet, but they also taught me patience and perseverance.

They called my creation "flower made by a flower."

Memories

Freewrite.. 

"I love recollecting happy memories of the past, be it my own or others. It's my way of staying young in mind and spirit, while my body grows older." - Aisha Mirza