My sister was talking to one of the nurses from Hospice the other day and the conversation really saddened me. Cindy was praising the different nurses for all the hard work they have done and all the help they have been to our family and mentioned our favorite by name.
“Saadia was just fantastic, we all loved her so much and she went above and beyond.” -Cindy
“Saadia? Saadia Aladdin?” -the nurse, with a shocked look on her face.
“Yes, she was awesome” – Cindy, confused.
“And it didn’t bother you?” -the nurse, gesturing around her head.
You see, Saadia wears a hijab. Saadia is a devoted Muslim.
The nurse Cindy was talking to had seen us pray, and met my grandparent’s Baptist preacher, and knew we were Christians. The nurse loved Saadia and spoke very highly of her but was somewhat astounded by our acceptance and love for her too. How heartbreakingly sad is that?
Saadia is by far the favorite among all the caretakers that we have worked with because her compassion and motivation has been unmatched. When there was nothing to do for my grandma, she would rub my Papa’s feet, cover napping people with blankets, water flowers, and anxiously watch for any need she could help with. She covered us with hugs and compassionate conversation and was the first to hand out tissues to dry tears. All of the Hospice workers have been great but she was just by far the best. Her only request for herself during her 12 hour shifts was a quiet place to pray that faced East, but even then, she said she was praying for us.
I am (obviously) not Muslim. I do not wear a hijab. My beliefs are very different. But I am a human, and so is she. I care about the people in this house, and so did she. I am devoted to living in love and compassion towards others, and so is she.
She will forever be etched in my memory as the reason why jokes about other people are not funny. She will be the reason why generalization about people will not be tolerated in my home. She is the example I will use when I teach my kids that people are always more alike than different. I have always held these beliefs but she has proven all of them.
Please search your heart and be humble enough with your self to admit if you hold any preconceived ideas about people or religions. When you see someone pray, cross themselves, wear a hijab, speak a different language, follow different rules, or is outwardly different, what is your knee jerk response? A joke? Criticism? Or do you accept them in love like Christ did? There is a strange concept among us, that if you don’t agree, you must hate. If that was Jesus’ way, He would have had His lunch with the priests, not the prostitutes. If you love people like Christ loves people, you will reach out to them. You won’t be sitting in your ivory tower looking down and judging. How very heartbreaking that this is our reputation.
