A Little Angel Called Nasser

Nasser is one of the 9-year-old kids I teach. You can't meet Nasser and not instantly fall in love with him. It'll take you exactly 1/10 of a second to single him out, 2 seconds to be convinced he comes from the very best breeding, and 3 seconds to completely and utterly adore him.

He's the most sweet-natured kid I've ever met. His smile literally brightens up the classroom and his excitement is fuel to my lesson. I love it when he spontaneously interrupts me with his soft and tender voice "Can I say something teacher? Can I say something teacher? Can I can I can I?", he hops up as he say that, and by the time he's done with his sentence he somehow is standing beside me on the board. He makes me smile, each and every time.

He's brilliant, dedicated and his marks are great. He's the perfect student.

But today my heart broke.

I was in the playground during recess and suddenly boys surrounded me:
"Ms. Mariam do you that Nasser's mom died???"
"Nasser???? which Nasser?" *please God don't let it be Nasser in 4A.*
"Nasser in 4A miss".

I froze for a second. I felt my heart sink and totally forgot about releasing my breath and taking in another one.

"He's absent?"
"No, he's here. Over there", they said pointing at a seemingly normal Nasser, wearing his charming smile as he talks to his friends.

Later I learnt from other teachers that it seems his mom had been sick for a long time and away in treatment, since the dad informed the school that she passed away last Saturday but he only informed Nasser on Wednesday.

His little face has been haunting me ever since and all I can think of is Nasser. My heart tears when I see him. And yet he seemed okay on the outside. I wonder, is it because he hasn't fully realised it. Or worse, has she been sick and missing from his life for such a long time, that she has been effectively dead long before Wednesday.

I try to imagine my life without my mom's presence, then I quickly stop myself. It's a thought so terrifying, I am paralyzed at the mere idea. And yet, millions of kids grow up without their moms by their sides. What we consider as the essence of our happiness and cannot imagine losing for a second, some people never experience. If it wasn't for my deep belief in Allah's wisdom behind any tribulation, I think I would sink in the sorrow of those mere thoughts.

And yet while Allah takes, he also provides. Even with their shattering loss, he provides them with the strength to keep going, despite the huge piece of their lives that goes missing. I sit here devastated at their loss, wondering how will they ever cope. And yet they do, eventually. Life goes on. If you turn to Him, he'll give you the strength. You'll feel His mercy.

I reflect back on Nasser, now that I know that possibly from the start of the year his mom wasn't able to take care of him. Usually the absence of a mother carries instant effects on the child. Psychologically, behaviorally, academically. And yet, Nasser has been perfect in all aspects that not for a second did I or any of the other teachers doubt that something may be wrong back home.

His clothes are always clean, his things ready.. By all standards he is a happy and successful child. Someone must be taking care of him. I mean, he's just nine years old. And this someone isn't his mom. His grandma? His aunt maybe? Whoever it is, they seem to be doing an amazing job of taking care of him and providing him with the love, support and affection a child this age desperately needs. Nasser has lost his mother, but he hasn't lost everything. Allah chose to take his mom, but has given him love and support in the form of loving and caring relatives.

I find peace in the knowledge that he's in safe hands.

After all, who would bestow more love and mercy on this child than The Merciful himself.
Bless you Nasser, and may those who take care of you be rewarded, in this life and the hereafter.

May your smile continue to light up my classroom and fill our hearts with joy.