Thanksgiving Day, 2020

Dear Rida,

You know what’s Halal and what’s Haram, Aqsa! Mama is driving me insane! That’s all she can say, nowadays; she’s the one with the issues. And I’m sure Papa would quite agree with me, especially now that I’m a teen-ager. After living like this, like a cockroach, in hiding for two years now, I think I’m beyond my years, if anything.

But all is not bad. Ahmad and I crept up to the attic and watched Macy’s Parade all day — it was Grand! All those bands, and floats, and so many happy people…my heart can barely contain itself as I write these words! Rida, there was even a float commemorating all the Muslims who are dying for The Wall.

We almost had to laugh when a sudden gust of wind threatened to pull the rope-handlers of the Statue of Liberty float right up into the air. They really had to struggle to hold on to her!

Yours, Aqsa