A request, a lesson, and a different kind of genius...

I was only married about 5 mos when I approached my husband and asked him if he'd mind spending the night at his brothers house. Oh, I know it was a strange request but you see, I wanted to have a sleepover at my apt for a bunch of girls. Approximately 15 girls. I was working at an Islamic School and the grade 3 teacher got called on an emergency trip to Pakistan. There was no one to cover her classes, so I volunteered. I taught grade 3 for 3 mos. 3 glorious months. SubhanAllah, I loved those kids!!

We worked hard together and I became intricately involved in every one of their lives....

I remembered the girl who didn't like putting her hand up, and the other girl who liked to boss everyone around, and didn't forget the girl who never did her homework......I worked according to the individual levels of what some may call, problem students. Thing is.....I never saw them as problems. I always called them my "different kind of geniuses." They loved that title. I think that was probably my own title growing up. Perhaps thats why I tried so hard with that little group of about 5 students.

The majority of the class functioned as one hand. Following instructions, heads down, hands up...etc etc. But that group of 5? They captured my heart. I loved those kids.....they were exuberant. Exuberant. A label that a DR gave my own 12 yr old daughter once. He advised me not to try and stomp on her exuberance....LET HER SHINE....he told me. (and she does!)

After the teacher returned, I was bumped back to my boring office work. Sigh. That class did something amazing though. My different kind of geniuses organized a party for me and all of them brought a bunch of presents. I told you they were all amazing! So in return, I decided to host a sleepover for a bunch of the girls. Hubby agreed!

So I made up a little flyer with a schedule of what we were going to do. Asked everyone to bring their sleeping bags, pillow and toothbrush...... Girls all arrived and there was a slight dent in the plans....a few of the girls brought their little sisters........OOPS! But I didn't turn anyone away.....I'd manage.

So we prayed together, read hadith together, exercised and I even took the entire troop to the park. It was great fun and lots of laughter. And come night time.....a bunch of girls sleeping on my living room floor that just wouldn't SLEEP! It was a bunch of giggles, whispering....even farting! (which BTW no one would admit to doing!) Finally the group fell asleep and so did I!

The excitement came the next day. And it's been a lesson to me since then. Well, I had all the girls helping with the cooking. And I made pizza and was preparing the french fries. No ready made french fries for me.....oh no.....I was peeling potatoes and cutting them up. So there I was in the kitchen frying up the french fries. I finally get them all done and have this HUGE tray of french fries. And then the phone rings. The pizza has about another 10 mins.....so I'm good.

Strangely enough, it's my aunt on the phone. The one who has been mean to me ever since I converted to Islam.......it's her first time to call me and I'm stumped. So I talk to her for a bit and suddenly.....I hear screaming coming from the kitchen. LOTS of screaming. So I hang up with the aunt and go running....and guess what I find???

The girls ate all the french fries.

The entire pan of them.

LOL! It started with one girl taking one french fry and then another and another.... until someone took the last one.... they realized that the pan was empty..... OH NO! So they started screaming! (screaming DID NOT bring back the french fries, btw)

What did I do, you ask? Well, I started by laughing and told the kids....instead of playing who stole the cookie from the cookie jar later, we'd do a new version called....who stole the french fries from the pan! And I also pointed out that I know it WASN"T ME! All the girls erupted in giggles.

I took the girls in the living room and asked if there was anyone there who DIDN'T take a french fry. Nope....they all took some. And then I asked again....But isnt' there JUST ONE of you who didn't take any? Nope. Sigh.

And then I told them that in real life, they have got to be STRONG GIRLS! And that when they see someone doing something wrong...that they aren't all to jump right in behind. Sure it's rewarding for the moment, but it's not long lasting. I told them that being the one who stands out is the most difficult person to be, but definately the one with the most blessing. I then told all those girls that I loved them dearly and it would take more than french fries to upset me. A few sniffles in the crowd.....but then lots of hugs and smiles.

We overcame the odd moment and that night, we had pizza for dinner. No french fries.

Let this be a lesson to you as well. There's a pan of french fries in front of every one of us. And with it comes a vast amount of possibilities. We can chose NOT to take one. Wouldn't that be something? Ahhhhhhh.....the story of the french fries. It was a time, my friends. Many years ago now.....my own children not even born. But a lesson is there, yes?

We are all lost without a little guidance. And for a time....I tried to be that guide. A guide to a little group of geniuses. A different kind of genius. And I love them still.

"Noah said: "O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!"...........Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous. " Quran 11:47,49