🌈 1302 – Monday, 20 January 2025 23:03

Impossible is just an opinion!

Hyderabad

It was Monday, but not the usual kind—the kind I used to dread as the start of another workweek. This Monday was different. I wasn’t working. Instead, I was at home, staying with family, and my main task was looking after my parents. Honestly, it felt like the best Monday ever.

I’m still jet-lagged from London time. Last night, I was wide awake at 3:30 AM, which is only 10 PM in London. Even after a week here in Hyderabad, I haven’t adjusted to the time difference. I usually went to bed around midnight in London, so now it feels like morning here when it’s night there. I wonder how long it’ll take for my body clock to catch up. Maybe when I go back, I’ll finally wake up early, something I’ve been trying to do since the pandemic.

This morning, I finally got out of bed at 9:10 AM. I’ve decided to stay with my parents for a few weeks to care for them, especially my dear mum. Tomorrow is her fourth chemo session, and the whole family is rallying around her. My brother and sister, who can’t be here, constantly check in with calls and messages. I was like that too until last week when it hit me—I needed to drop everything, come here, and be with them until her treatment is done.

Mum’s on a tough journey: eight chemo sessions, one every two weeks, followed by radiation. Tonight, after dinner, she asked me, “Do you think I’ll make it through all this?” She’s been feeling so low, and my heart broke for her. I told her, “Of course, you will, Mum. Look how quickly the first three sessions went by. We’re already halfway through. Lots of people overcome this, and you will too. This moment feels heavy now, but it will pass, just like everything else. We’re all here for you, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Inside, though, I felt a wave of stress. I wished things were different. I silently prayed, asking God to heal her and give strength to everyone suffering from illness, along with those supporting them.

Then, trying to lighten the mood, I teased her, “Mamma, if you stress so much, how’s the hair on your gundu (bald head) going to grow back?” She burst out laughing, and the tension in the room lifted. Her hair fell out after the second chemo, and she usually keeps her head covered. But tonight, she said her scarf was feeling hot, and she might leave it off soon. I told her, “It’s okay, Mamma. We love you just as you are.”

I asked her to smile, and she started laughing loudly, pretending to sound like a monkey. I joined in, and soon, our fake laughter turned real. Dad was in the living room, listening to us and probably wondering what on earth was so funny. We said goodnight to him, and he reminded me to lock the main gate downstairs.

After taking care of that, I finally came to my room. It had been such a long day, running around like a busy bee. Before heading to bed, I did a few shoulder presses with dumbbells, just to squeeze in a little exercise.

As I lay here, ready to sleep, I’m sending love, blessings, and compassion to everyone going through tough times right now on our entire planet..

Around the rest of the world today –

Israel-Palestine war – Hamas has released three Israeli hostages – who have been reunited with their families. In exchange, Israel has begun releasing Palestinian prisoners, with plans to release a total of 1,900 detainees during this phase.
World War 3 – Reports indicate that North Korea has sent approximately 10,000 soldiers to Russia, with many engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.
Ukraine launched its largest-ever missile and drone attack, employing a “triple-tap” strategy to strike multiple key targets across Russian territory. The operation included hits up to 680 miles behind enemy lines, dealing a significant blow to Russian infrastructure. (The Sun News).

3 things I felt grateful for today

I felt so grateful today. I made bone broth for my mother, and when she ate it, I was filled with happiness. It brought back memories of of when we were kids, and she would lovingly say, ‘My good baby, you’ll finish all this.’ When she finished the broth, I jokingly said, ‘My good mamma, such a nice girl you are for finishing it!’ She gave me a confused look, but it made me smile.
Later in the day, around 1:10 PM, I rode motor bike Activa through heavy traffic for the first in a couple years time to pick up something brother had sent – two new phones for our parents from overseas. He’s arriving the next week, but his friend brought them early, so I went to collect them. When I returned home, I felt so thankful.
I’m also grateful for the warm weather here – it’s been such a blessing

What would it take for my dear mum and everyone on this planet suffering from illness to wake up completely healed—healthy, vibrant, and free from pain, as if touched by a miracle? May all the negative patterns in our minds, which have drawn anything less than well-being into our lives, be lifted and removed completely!!!

Goodnight, good luck!

Ash Khaleem

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