Ramadan ends today and my Eid party is Saturday! The celebration turned into a PlusOne so what was going to be an intimate gathering of about 6 people has turned into a part-tay of 12.
I’d like to take a moment to say why my guests are important to me and why I want to celebrate my religion with them. I’m afraid if I try to do it at the party I’ll forget something important so I’m going to do it while I have time to collect my thoughts. Still, I’ll be brief. In no particular order:
- My totally non-judgemental and down-to-earth friend Dragon will spend the night Friday both to go to a ball game with hubby and me that night and to help us set up on Saturday. She is unreservedly supportive of me and all my endeavors. She listens to me even when I ramble and get full of myself and then finds a humorous way to bring me back to reality without hurting my feelings.
- My Friend Marie, who has found her church home with the Quakers, nevertheless has tirelessly accompanied me to churches all over Lansing and East Lansing. Her companionship at services has made this church shopping spree possible. She has been giving of her time, energy, and friendship in quantities I don’t know how to repay. Her hubby is also coming to the party after learning that Eid parties are, obviously, the “in” party to attend this season.
- Our trivia friends C & D. Devote Catholics who practice what they preach, they are kind, giving, thoughtful, a delight to spend time with, and they give Catholocism a good name. They make the work day a little brighter by bringing in donuts “just because,” and inevitably on a day you’re feeling like you could use a little incentive to get to work. I am honored that they count me among their friends.
- My partner in the Braille and Talking Book Library recording studio who is loyal and steadfast, Betsie. She can be counted on to give you a ride to the doctors or go out to dinner if you’re feeling blue. We always find something to talk about and she is inevitably interesting. As luck would have it, she was a seamstress in a previous life so she’ll arrive early to work on the wedding dress of my next guest.
- My co-worker B, and her lesbian partner J whom I’ll be meeting for the first time, are getting married in two weeks. Her wedding dress just arrived and it needs some alterations. B is one of the many atheists coming to the party (they’re actually the majority of the guests) but she’s always been respectful, non-judgemental, freely loving, and supportive of me as a woman capable of making my own choices, just a few of her many superpowers. That makes for a powerful combination. It’s extremely appealing when adding new friends to your life.
- My church buddy of 15 months from the UU church will see my home for the first time along with his gay partner whom I will be meeting for the first time. My church buddy provided highly valued companionship as I got into the groove of attending weekly services by giving me someone to look forward to seeing every Sunday, by helping me feel like I belonged in a house of worship, and that was an invaluable gift.
- And finally, hubby. I gotta give it to him. He’s totally gone along with this whole Eid party even though religion really isn’t his thing, and neither is Islam. But he’s being a trooper.
I’m having the party catered by a Middle Eastern restaurant so it’s going to be quite the spread, including a good number of dishes for our vegan guests. Food? Check.
Decorations? Heck yes! Banners and balloons. Also, I fell down on the earthy part of the party and bought plastic dinnerwear. AND ITS PURPLE!
I am determined that fun will be had by all! Stupid party games? Check.
The first game is to count up all the different kinds of parties you’ve attended in your life. Mardi gras? Kittenbowl party? Downtown Abbey viewing party? Quincinera? Count em up! Movie pass prizes for first and second place.
Finally, we’re going to play a lightening round of Cards Against Humanity because everyone loves it and I’m determined that folks will genuinely enjoy themselves. Damnit. Prizes for the winners, there, too.
And everyone gets candy! Because I love candy!
I also bought a fuscia dress for the party. New clothes? Check. (Its modest, it just sounds wild).
And, finally, the reason for all of this. A celebration of God, of the good in organized religion-in this case Islam-and a moment to step back and recognize the role it has played in my life for the past 30 years. What will the next 30 years hold? That’s one of the joys of life, you never quite know. But I’m sure God will be there, in one house of worship or another.
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