My dearest Ali Mahdi

Missing you today as usual. I was thinking about how I used to carry you in my arms when you were a baby and take you around our beautiful apartment.

I had painted your nursery before you were born... Mint green and lavender... and a tree of life with humming birds and dragonflies.... It was lovely... and I'd take you there and show you what I'd painted.. you enjoyed looking at all of that. And then I'd take you into your sitting room and turn on the water fountain and you loved the water sounds and wanted to grab the bells that made beautiful tinkling sounds every time they touched due to the flow of water.... then you'd look at my ruby chandelier... and you wanted to grab the crystals... So I would take a crystal out and give it to you...and you'd put it in your mouth... yes.. It was too big for you to swallow, but you liked it's smoothness and it's coolness...

Then you'd give it back to me and watch me while I'd hook it back on to the chandelier... I donated that chandelier to the haram of Hazrat Abbas... If you ever go there, insha'Allah... look for it...

I miss you my love. I saw your recent picture on Facebook.... Love your new haircut... you're totally rocking it, Mashallah.

And how much you look like me, my love... your eyes are like mine... so is your nose and your hair and your lips and your chin... Everything is so similar.... Again, as always,I wish I could hug you tight and tell you how much I love you.

Allah keep you safe and loved and healthy.

Your mother's duaas are always with you like a cloud, shading you from the harsh sun and cooling you. Like a  tree , heavily laden with fruit,

Love you very much,

Mama.