Rahma, I always love reading your essays. It feels like we're sitting together, perhaps in your kitchen, perhaps in your multipurpose closet while we fold laundry, and just chatting. This essay was no exception. So many great little drops of wisdom.
First, thank you, sister Rahma, for your beautiful words and for mentioning me in the article, but the real credit goes to you - your writing holds nuggets of wisdom that speak for themselves.
This article is no different. Your reflections hold such depth and awareness, a reminder that life is not just about forward motion but about presence and intention (e.g. leaving your phone in another room). You show how choices, both big and small, shape our days in ways we do not always notice in the moment (choosing to stay longer and listen to the water). Whether it is stepping away from screens, resisting the pull of consumer culture (realizing how marketing alters emotions), or simply standing by a stream with a child, you remind us to look for what truly nourishes us.
There is also a quiet invitation in your words. The reflections of elders and the wisdom of children highlight how meaning often lives in the moments we take for granted. Perhaps, like you, we are already in the best years of our lives and simply need to slow down enough to see it.
Rahma! I’ve missed your writing. No idea where any of subscriptions are and have no idea how to use the app. Agree fully with the comments below, there is a depth of connection that feels so easy when I read your work. Like I pick up exactly where I left off, just like the best relationships. There’s no pause. Loved the picture mashallah. The idea of choice is such a heavy one. Hope you had a blessed and joyous Ramadan and I’d be curious what it looks like in Italy.
Lovely essay as always. My son is a teen now which is its own joy, but the toddler days were a particular joy of being silly, walks that didn’t need to be long but became long because of the need to explore and ponder, all the singing and playing. I remember swinging in the park with my son one late morning and I thought, wow life is so hard right now 😅I think it takes some removal to recognize the joy in the experience.
I really enjoyed reading this, it feels cosy and homely. I'm looking forward to reading more about your move to rural Italy, it feels like a more wholesomeness slower place compared to the UK
Yes, there's definitely a slight back-in-time feeling where I am that I really appreciate. Most visitors find the slowness very hard to adjust to at first, especially younger people, but the longer they stay the more they relax into it. Unless they really can't stand their own company and the thoughts in their own head. Then it's probably unbearable.
Your beautiful post covers a number of generations of family and neighbours, diverse countries and languages. A rich tapestry with stark contrasts of countries and cities and rural images full of bubbling life. A joy to read !!!
Rahma, I love the way you write.
Rahma, I always love reading your essays. It feels like we're sitting together, perhaps in your kitchen, perhaps in your multipurpose closet while we fold laundry, and just chatting. This essay was no exception. So many great little drops of wisdom.
First, thank you, sister Rahma, for your beautiful words and for mentioning me in the article, but the real credit goes to you - your writing holds nuggets of wisdom that speak for themselves.
This article is no different. Your reflections hold such depth and awareness, a reminder that life is not just about forward motion but about presence and intention (e.g. leaving your phone in another room). You show how choices, both big and small, shape our days in ways we do not always notice in the moment (choosing to stay longer and listen to the water). Whether it is stepping away from screens, resisting the pull of consumer culture (realizing how marketing alters emotions), or simply standing by a stream with a child, you remind us to look for what truly nourishes us.
There is also a quiet invitation in your words. The reflections of elders and the wisdom of children highlight how meaning often lives in the moments we take for granted. Perhaps, like you, we are already in the best years of our lives and simply need to slow down enough to see it.
This whole post feels like a warm cup of tea. While I haven’t ditched my phone I did uninstall all the apps I scroll on and what a difference it made.
Your escape/trap question is one I consider often. I’m not sure I know how to escape.
Rahma! I’ve missed your writing. No idea where any of subscriptions are and have no idea how to use the app. Agree fully with the comments below, there is a depth of connection that feels so easy when I read your work. Like I pick up exactly where I left off, just like the best relationships. There’s no pause. Loved the picture mashallah. The idea of choice is such a heavy one. Hope you had a blessed and joyous Ramadan and I’d be curious what it looks like in Italy.
Lovely essay as always. My son is a teen now which is its own joy, but the toddler days were a particular joy of being silly, walks that didn’t need to be long but became long because of the need to explore and ponder, all the singing and playing. I remember swinging in the park with my son one late morning and I thought, wow life is so hard right now 😅I think it takes some removal to recognize the joy in the experience.
All the singing and playing... It sounds so great when you put it like that!
I cannot imagine the teenage stage. I'm glad to hear there's joy to be found there too ❤️
joyful in that teary way of watching them grow, make mistakes and form their independence.
I love the thought of these being the best years. Gives us another reason to put these dang phones away!
It changes the perspective doesn't it? We could blink and miss it if we're not careful!
I really enjoyed reading this, it feels cosy and homely. I'm looking forward to reading more about your move to rural Italy, it feels like a more wholesomeness slower place compared to the UK
Yes, there's definitely a slight back-in-time feeling where I am that I really appreciate. Most visitors find the slowness very hard to adjust to at first, especially younger people, but the longer they stay the more they relax into it. Unless they really can't stand their own company and the thoughts in their own head. Then it's probably unbearable.
Your beautiful post covers a number of generations of family and neighbours, diverse countries and languages. A rich tapestry with stark contrasts of countries and cities and rural images full of bubbling life. A joy to read !!!