As I sit in front of the TV watching the coverage of Hurrican Rita…waiting on a call from my wife that she has reached the hotel in Killeen Texas. She left 10:00 am CDT…I talked to her around 8:30 pm and she was still 60 miles away from her destination (this is a 4 hours drive max under normal conditions). As I sat down to pray and ask Allah for his mercy and blessing for my wife and daughters…I was overwhelmed with a feeling…I started crying…I just could not stop…when I did I started going through some old e-mails from my cousin regarding my brother’s death…this is a poem she sent me and for some reason it made me feel better…I decided to share this with the guppies…
Do not stand on my grave and cry,
I am not there ,I did not die,
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow,
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am bright stars that shine at night,
I am the sunshine on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
Do not stand on my grave and weep,
I am not there ,I do not sleep.
Oh Allah have mercy on his soul and award him Jannah and give my parents the strength to bear this loss. Keep all of us out of the harm’s way during this hurricane… Ameen
Here's what I got off the internet for Sugar Land residents...
Sugar Land residents are receiving this information via their home telephone.
Reverse 911 Bulletin no. 2
1. This is an emergency message from the City of Sugar Land Emergency Operation Center.
We encourage residents who have not left yet to remain due to congestion of the evacuation routes and inability to refuel.
We are a pass through community and impacted by the hurricane and therefore in conjunction with the Red Cross, we are not establishing shelters at this time.
Due to street congestion, garbage and recycling pickup has been cancelled by BFI. Trash cans and yard debris should be secured in enclosed areas. Please secure for neighbors if they already have left.
For the elderly or disabled with special medical needs who are unable to evacuate, we will be organizing a volunteer program to check on you. Please call 281-275-2900 to be placed on the list after 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 to be placed on the list.
Please stay tuned to local media for regular storm updates or call the emergency hotline for a taped message at 281-494-4357 or the City Phone Bank at 281-275-2900 which will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday morning, Sept. 23.
very touching Kaleem, thank you for sharing, and may you and yoiur family have the strength and sabr to deal with this loss. InshaAllah u will be reunited with your brother in the hereafter
Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes
I did not go with my family because of number of reasons as follows:
We had two hotel rooms booked or at least we were lead to believe that we have them untill Wednesday afternoon. When we called to confirm ...they said they had no record of us having a reservation and had no more openings.....at this time it was too late to get a hotel room anywhere in Texas. I tried but no luck, then our neighbor who is a good friend of my wife called and she said that she had originally booked one room in Killen Texas and she is not going to use it and offered it to us. It is one small room and there are six of us and a dog...(3 beautiful princesses, my wife and my mother in law and her precious dog)..so I decided to let my wife, my duaghters and my MIL go there....
All indications and according to the latest reports, computer models of hurricane Rita suggest that Sugar Land area will get a lot of rain and winds between 40-60 mph (75 mph makes it Cat 1 hurricane)....I was against us leaving town to begin with but my wife did not want to take a chance...so I am here manning the fort so to speak....
Kaleem, I really don't see why you couldn't have left with them. Maybe you still should. That was very touching about your brother. May Allah have mercy on his soul.
Its too late now...authorities are advocating against it...plus I have to take care of three cats...even if I wanted to leave...I cannot...there is no Gas literally every Gas station in and around greater houston area is closed/out of gas...I will put my life in the hand of Allah and InshAllah I will be fine.
Good God, you stayed for the cats? Honestly, that's just silly. Your daughters need you! Anyhow, you'll be alright inshAllah. We'll be praying for your safety.
