Nostalgia

Like I said, Yesterday was such a good day cuz I was FREEEEEEEE!!! Had done all the paper work and was waiting for the final technical decisions. Well, the decision didn’t come till 11 at night, which is when our producer UA called me. And I was sleeping at that time. Augh!!

I went home at 6 p.m. and had to make a couple of stops on my way. Shan’s basketball had suffered enough and I needed to buy a new one. I also had to mail wedding card samples to Usman. When I got home, there was still some time left before Maghrib so Samreen and I decided to shoot some baskets. As we were playing, Sam noticed that this girl across the street was watching us play. So, I turned and waved at her and she waved back. When we finished our game, she gave us thumbs up and went inside. I think if I see her again, I will invite her to come over and play.

Spoke to both Saba and Usman yesterday. Usman called to ask about the wedding invitations and to tell me that they have changed the schedule again. Now, the Valima is on 14th and at night, which means I will have to stay there and come back in the morning. Saba called and asked me to advise her as to the latest hairstyles. I guess I have researched the market twice this year for wedding preparations and come across as an expert but still.... hair?

Bhai came back a little late today and gave me a post card Aban had sent for me. She knows I love Degas’ Ballerinas so she sends me postcards of his paintings. It’s been a month since she’s been gone. So, I sat down and after what seems like eons, wrote an old fashioned snail mail. It was while writing that letter that I realized that this past summer was such an unforgettable time for our family. For the first time in years, all of us, including Aban were together. Our family has pretty much been living in halves for the past five years since bhai and I lived in Pakistan while Abu, Ammi and Shan lived in Jeddah. Then when Ammi Abu moved back, bhai and shan moved to Karachi. Last summer I was in Karachi, and so were Bhai, Aban and Shan. This summer, everyone was here. Now, Aban’s in Williams, Dad is always traveling (which is good for his career MashaAllah) and Shan is back at IBA. I guess the nostalgia was overwhelming and I took bhai and Aban’s engagement & wedding albums out. I guess it is true that sometimes we are so occupied with our personal volatility that we overlook the best of times and things.