Got Visa?

Alhamdolillah, we got our visas today.  Now it has really hit me that I will be going for Hajj this year, inshaAllah.

My father called me while I was at work to give me the news.  I nearly cried.  I skipped to my manager’s office to confirm my holiday dates.  Everyone at the office was aware of my condition – being on edge waiting for the visa.  For the past couple of weeks they have been asking me – “so, did you hear anything yet?” -  from my colleagues to the director.   They have been so supportive of this whole waiting game and are anxious to hear about my experiences when I return.  They are not Muslim and are curious to see what kind of person I will come back as and if it will change me (being the spiritually cleansing journey that it is).   I have tried to make my rounds with those who I immediately work with to explain where I am going and why.  I cleared the little debts I owed.. you know, like the random coffee/tea or lunch that someone got when I forgot my wallet.  I think they really appreciated that.  They have even planned to have a “pre-Hajj” lunch for me…  It is nice because they don’t say.. “before your vacation,” or “before your time off”, rather they say “before Hajj”.  Great people.  I am blessed.

I have found a family to look after my cute little kitten while I am away.  The father has had cats before as a child, but the mother has never had a cat before.  At first, this concerned me, but after I saw how she was with my kitty I felt at ease.  She is very gentle and mild mannered.  Her son (4 years old) fell in love with my kitten, so inshallah everything will go smoothly.  I will drop Nimbus off at their place this Sunday.

I’ve also decided to keep a journal on this trip.  I won’t be able to blog (not taking my laptop for obvious reasons), but will definitely carry a journal/diary and a pen, of course.  This is one journey I do not want to forget.  Ever.  So will make every effort to hold on to its memory.  It’s a long journey.  I leave San Jose and arrive in Ottawa via Washington Dulles.  I stay for a day at home and then set out to Jeddah via Montreal and Paris.

I can’t wait to set my eyes on the Holy Kaaba again.  I’ve prayed for this moment to happen for so long.  I feel an overwhelming amount of peace at the thought of entering the City of our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salam) again.  What a blessing to be in his (saw) presence in Medina with my family.
I still can’t believe it is happening… embarking on the ultimate journey of a lifetime.

~ by nayya on 8 December, 2006.