HOW I CAME TO SAY TO A MUSLIM WOMAN PRAISE BE TO ALLAH

My faith is such acknowledging another's faith does not weaken my own.  It is about respect. 

The travel part of my NY trip was a nightmare.  It began at about 4:15 a.m. at the airport when I had to borrow a phone to call my roommate to bring me my phone. Then after he called the man who loaned me his phone to say he was outside, I realized I did not have my glasses. So, I was a week without glasses. 

Every leg of the trip was hard on me.  I was panic stricken they would have to land the plane because of me yelling in pain due to the continued sinus infection.

I cannot even go there with how bad the lack of care is.  Oh, I am seeing a lot of people, The last medication they gave me was dosed wrong. Then a new medication was dosed below the normal use. It is 4 drops not 3, and 3-4 times a day and not once. Today I am going with the full dosage.

I finally have my bladder under control after an overdose recommended by the doctor, or pharmacy. They are blaming each other.  Then, my reaction to the medication was horrible.   Imagine literally going to the bathroom every 20 minutes and drinking nonstop.  It was urine and bowel. I was drinking so much fluid my hair turned silky soft. The manufacturer says not for people with neuropathy.  It is just surreal.

There were too many trips to the bathroom from Dallas to NY.  But now it is all under control.

I GET TO NY, AND IT STARTS WELL

At the gate was my wheel-chair assist. And I do tip $10.00.  I can walk short distances, but I cannot navigate a large airport.  He got me to the baggage pick-up.  Never again, I just bought the medium closet carry-on. Yes, it was pricy, but it is all I will need in the future.

Right next to the baggage pickup was ground transportation.  I walked out the door and waited 5 minutes for the Q70 bus which is non-stop to Woodside train station.  I have been doing this for 48 years; I know the routine. Except he dropped us off two blocks from the elevator to the 3rd floor where you get tickets. 

There was a nightmare reason.  The entire station was under mass remodeling in anticipation of the new rail directly from La Guardia to Woodside.  So, I get upstairs, and the ticket booth is nowhere to be found.  I walked by it on the return.  So, I used a ticket dispenser.  The ticket said track one.  I knew it was track 4, but I went down the stairs to track 1, to see track 4 was packed with people heading out to eastern long island.  Then I saw my train come and go. 

I could not find the elevator used once in the station.  So, I pulled my luggage up the stairs, and then down the stairs.  I could not breath.  I was sitting on the stairs.  A Muslim woman comes up to me and says, "you just missed the train."  It meant I would probably miss the catered family event. 

She asks me if she could help me.  I asked if she could check the schedule for the next train to my destination.  It was not bad I missed the train.  Everyone changes at Jamaica.  The next train to Jamaica connected me to an express to my destination.

I got on the train and this woman was with me all the way to Jamaica. We got off the train at Jamaica, and learned my train was on track 4 in 6 minutes, and I was on track 7.  This woman grabbed my bags with permission and pulled them down the stairs and then up the stairs.  

THE PRAISE BE TO ALLAH MOMENT

I offered her $20.00 saying she meant the world to me.  She said no.  She said Allah does not expect people to praise her for doing his work.

I spontaneously said Praise be to Allah.  This meant the world to her to hear me say it.  It reinforced her faith.  She started to cry, and I said "no, no". They were tears of joy.  My Praise be to Allah was an acknowledgement that Allah brought us together in an act of brotherhood.  She followed his teachings of brotherhood. It made everything better.

Kindness without an expectation of reward.

THE RETURN REVELATION WHEN I MET AN AFGHANI MAN

He took me from security to my gate.  I never would have made it.  He was quiet.  He wanted to make sure I was okay.  He turned and looked me in the eyes with those amber eyes and asked if I was okay.

He was a damaged man.  I told him I was okay.  I asked him where he was from.  We spoke for a bit.  He left Afghanistan after leaving the war behind, which was so much of his life.  It was horrible what his family had gone through.  

I then noticed how much he was shaking.  It was sad.

With all his problems, he took the time to make sure I was okay. Now I believe he took the $20.00 tip because he was providing a service and not a random act of kindness.

I cannot get the desperation I saw in his eyes out of my head.  His kindness is something we do not see enough in this world.

NEW BEGINNINGS

THE JOHN DOE CASE

The only reason three lawsuits are not being filed today, is I have to go to the VA to pick up a new medication to help me sleep. 

I still have a bit of work, but not much.  But January 2, 2025, will be the day of no return,

I have done everything I can, but Saenz wants a nuclear war.  I do not.  I want everyone to just walk away. 

The people want peace.  They want us to reconcile our differences.  But I cannot force anyone.

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH AND ALL OTHER PROPHETS