Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Therefore being an American Muslim, I traveled home to my parents house to stuff myself with turkey and pumpkin pie. As you all know, I have always been a little nervous coming home to my hometown, since I have become a Muslim. My hijab has always felt like an obstacle between my old life and my new one. This time was quite different...I made it through my father picking me up at the train station, Thanksgiving dinner, and Black Friday before I realized I had been wearing my hijab without thinking the entire time. It felt great...it was like...all of the "super awareness" I had was washed away. My family and I had a great time...not like before...something better than before. Helping my mother make pies and dinner, listening and playing music with my brother....I felt like we haved moved into new territory. As I walked along the water as the sunset, I realized that the strangled feeling I got everytime I went home was gone. My hometown no longer felt like a liability, just a place where my family still lived, and where I had begun my life. I hope this is indiciation of times to come...thank you all for your dua and prayers...