17/09/2023
Journey of Dreams: A Mother's Umrah Adventure with Her Boys
Part 1:
On a bright morning in May 19, 2023, I woke up feeling a mix of excitement and a little nervousness. It was finally the day of my special journey for Umrah, and it was happening on a Friday. I was with my two boys, aged 7 and 12, and we were ready to go on a journey of faith and discovery. We left home at 8 AM, and I could feel the excitement in the air.
The idea of traveling alone with my kids had me feeling both really excited and a bit scared. The whole week before our trip was filled with getting everything ready and talking about what we'd see and do. Our flight was with Emirates and was supposed to leave at 11 AM. But before we got to our final destination, Madinah, we had a 2-hour stop in Dubai, which was like a little break in our journey.
As we took off in the plane, my boys were so chatty and excited. The younger one, especially, was super thrilled because he's crazy about airplanes. He had this amazing energy, like he was already flying even before we got on the plane. The plane ride was like a dream come true for him. He was glued to the window, his eyes shining as he watched the clouds and the wings of the plane. He was full of stories about how the clouds looked like fluffy mountains and how he hoped to be a pilot someday. His happiness was so contagious that everyone around us couldn't help but smile.
Meanwhile, the older boy was acting all grown up. At 12, he took everything very seriously. He wanted to make sure we had all our important papers and stuff. He kept checking and asking if everything was okay. He was like our little protector, making sure everything was in order.
During the flights, he stayed calm and collected. He found joy in simple things like the food on the plane and the view outside the window. You could tell that this journey was a big deal for him, a chance to show how responsible he could be.
But there was something really touching about him. He was thinking a lot about his dad, who couldn't come with us. He wanted to share every little thing with his dad, to tell him all about our adventure. It was like he was counting down the moments until he could talk to his dad.
As the plane got closer to landing, I saw him looking out the window. You could see his excitement building up, but it was also this deep feeling he had. And when the plane finally touched the ground, he let out a sigh, like everything was just right.
The plane ride to Dubai, which took 2 hours, felt like it went by quickly because we were all looking forward to our adventure. When we landed in Dubai, the airport was bustling with people from all over the world. We had a short 2-hour break there before our next flight.
Finally, we landed in Madinah around 5 PM, and I couldn't believe we were really there. The airport process was easy, and we hopped into a taxi that took us to our hotel. The city felt alive with something special in the air.
Our hotel was a comfortable place to freshen up and rest after the journey. Later, in the evening after we prayed, we went out to get a local SIM card to stay in touch with family. Seeing their faces on a video call was reassuring and made us all feel closer. My boys were eager to join the prayers at the mosque, and the local food smelled so good that we enjoyed a big meal.
As the day came to an end, we had some delicious ice cream, a little treat that made my boys really happy. The night was peaceful, and the call to prayer made everything feel so serene. With our hearts full of gratitude, we settled into bed, ready to rest and get ready for the exciting days ahead.
We were going to spend five days in Madinah before going to Makkah. Our journey had just started, and there was a lot to look forward to. Each day was bringing us closer to new experiences, and I knew this trip would be full of faith, bravery, and unforgettable moments together.
I knew that this was just the start of something amazing. It was a journey filled with feelings and a special bond between a mom and her boys which will bring us closer to Almighty Allah.
to be continued...
