Mom came to visit us for a couple of days last week, and on Saturday morning, at Samie’s suggestion, we visited the Water Gardens in Fort Worth.
- An apparent misreading of the B/N switch on the Sprocket Rocket resulted in me shooting on B for the entire time.
- The light, but definite presence of homeless folks and those less fortunate than I gave me an opportunity to (fail to) be a better Muslim.
Alhamdulillah, I was able to rescue something from the wildly overexposed negatives. They all went from something like this…
to something like this…
MashaAllah, my darling little wife looks so, I don’t know, glamorous in this. She’s always darling and adorable, classy and poised, but here… SubhanAllah.
We walked all around the Water Gardens, down, around, up, over, around, down, around, up, and back. I grew up in Tarrant County, and I’ve lived near Fort Worth for 33 of my 39 years, but I doubt I’ve been to the Water Gardens more than a time or two. It’s kind of an interesting thing, and probably worth visiting from time to time, at different times of the day, and in different weather conditions.
On the way out, a gentleman quietly asked me for some help.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any cash on me” and I didn’t… I usually don’t these days.
I think he replied, “Did I ask you for cash? Did I? I just need some help.” I can’t really be sure, as I couldn’t hear very well through the roar of the waterfalls.
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t hear you very well over the water.” I leaned close to him, and made a move like I was going to sit down.
“Oh, forget it. I just want some help, man. Just forget it.”
“I’m so sorry, brother. Assalamu Aleikum,” I said reflexively, and walked away.
I’m not sure what I could’ve done to help. Something, maybe, by the will of Allah alone, from Whom all benefit comes. If I was alone, maybe I could’ve given him a ride somewhere? But I was with my family, and the car was full, more or less. I could’ve sat and talked with him, or at least taken the time to listen to him before assuming he wanted cash, or I could’ve asked for a portrait, I guess… I don’t know. I could’ve walked right on by, I guess, but that doesn’t seem right at all. I could’ve treated him more like my brother in Humanity, but I tend not to engage in conversation beyond the briefest “hi, how are ya?”
I don’t know. May Allah grant the man whatever help he needs, Ameen.
Abu Hurairah reports that the prophet, peace be upon him, said
انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَلاَ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ لاَ تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ
Look to one who is lower than you, and do not look to one who is above you. For indeed that is more worthy(so that you will) not belittle Allah’s favors upon you.
May Allah guide me to remember Him, and give thanks to Him, and worship Him in the best possible manner, and may He forgive me for all the times I fail, miserably.
