Holidays, Morning Surprise...

  Holidays with Zahir's family are really cool. I never know what to expect. The one thing that is clear is, I am always treated as part of the family. I am not sure what part but the love is there.

  As a Christian I LOVE Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). To me it is proof of how much we share...

•   "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next, he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

  I was looking forward to sharing in this holy time... Regrettably I caught Baba's cold and my RLN flared. 

 ** Truth time - The RLN event wasn't triggered by Baba's cold. I shouted yesterday, "normal people" would call it raising your voice. I had a video conference with paternal grand parents. It seams they only wanted contact established so I would sign away my part of his estate. I got angry and told them to send the f-ing papers. I don't care if his people own the moon, I am done with them. (You all know Zahir checks my blog. I didn't want him to worry about me)**

I woke this morning mute as a stone! I realized it when I was feeding the babies this morning. I commanded the dogs to sit and almost nothing but air came out. The three malinois did the universal 90° confused head tilt at the same time. Fortunately my little furry pack was trained to understand gestural commands.

  The only one who fully understands my fingers is in Iran. I guess getting suspended from work was a blessing. I am pretty good with charades. In a pinch, I can always talk through my tablet and phone. I do not insist the world must adapt to me. It is frustrating at times but I like a challenge.

  The family knows I am having a flare as soon as I rest the knuckles of my closed fist in front of my lips. I don't have to complete the sign. Mama knew as soon as I entered the kitchen. Me wearing a turtle neck willingly when the temp is going to go into the high 80s is unusual. She hugged me and made me a mint tea. No stimulants allowed for the duration. She is the one family member who DOESN'T give me the broken boy pity look (BBPL) when this happens.

  I wrote this invention into one of my stories... I cannot wait until it (or something like it) hits the market. This invention will help so many. My voice is weak on it's best days, If I had these I probably wouldn't bother speaking at all. Baba's brother called me "whisper boy" last year until Baba told him that I was not being shy or rude, I just couldn't talk louder. Then I got the traditional BBPL.

  My favorite reaction when someone discovers I am mute is when they speak up and over enunciate their words assuming I am also deaf. You have to laugh where you can, or you will spend your life in tears.

  I know there are people who would be more than happy with a voice that was even intermittent, maybe I should be too. Still I would love to talk to a room without tapping the table to get a bit of hush. That would be worth not being able to sing again.

  Chase