A friend of mine invited us to Marrakech to spend the
weekend with her and her family. The invitation was a bit late notice but
something inside me felt the need to go. We were to leave Friday morning but I did
not read the email until 9pm the night before. Packing in a hurry with children
is more than stressful but I was determined. My friend’s parents are from the
states but she grew up in Morocco and lucky for us she and her family speak
English. The children hit it off as soon as we walked in the door, she and I headed to the kitchen (my favorite
place to be). I loved her house it felt so warm and real with children’s art
posted up around the walls. As I got comfortable at the table, filled up with
groceries, she started showing me her species and different things she’s had to
import because they are not available in Morocco, like pure vanilla and smoked
paprika. We drank Earl Grey, laughed and talked about how we donated our bodies
to science by having babies. In the middle of all the laughter, children running
in and out of the kitchen, grabbing snake after snack from the grocery bags, I began
to feel overwhelmed .I wanted to cry but more than that I wanted to hug God and
give my deepest thanks. I had been missing my family so much, not just my
family but the things in my life that make me who I am; things that can seem so
small but mean the world to me. I had a thought the day before about changing
my ticket and coming home early, just so I could sit in the kitchen with my
mom, drink tea, cook, tell stories, and watch the kids run from room to room.
Every time I left the country before I had my mom to make every place feel like
home, but this is the first time I have left the country without her, and there
is a big difference. I prayed for strength
and the Creator brought to my reality my deepest inner desires. I was beyond
grateful. And just when I thought I had gotten all that my heart could handle,
she leans over to me and says “What do you think about having Maheeyah’s
birthday party tomorrow here at the house? We can make cupcakes, decorate the
house, it will be great!” And right then I knew the feeling of being filled up
with so much joy that your heart literally feels like it can’t take any more. I
was crazy excited!!! Maheeyah will be turning 4 in a couple of weeks and I love
throwing fabulous parties for my girls. I was a little stumped on what to do
this year because we are in Africa and no place says “let’s have a party” like
America. But before that super stressful day could arrive the Creator took it
right out of my hands and made it easy and effortless. And before the weekend
was over she made the best Curry Ginger chicken I had ever tasted. The children
had a wonderful time, they played games, eat cake, ice cream, drank soda, and
dressed up like Moroccan kings and queens.
Hands down it was one of the best weekends I’ve had here in Morocco and I
came home with smoked paprika & nutmeg. My kitchen is on fire!!! All I can
say is the universe knows best, and when you let go and let God, you will always
be happily amazed.
