Two years ago, I threw my first Eid party. Eid is the celebration that ends the month of Ramadan.
Marie came with her husband. They both wore purple to celebrate the day with me, just because it’s my favorite color. She and I went on a six-month church tour all over the Lansing area as I journeyed on spiritual exploration.
Last year, Marie and Dragon fasted with me. Some friends know how to SHOW UP.
Today, Marie surprised me with purple roses, a donation to the Refugee Development Center, candy, an extra box set to my favorite party game: Cards Against Humanity, a gift card which shall be spent on gorgeous journal books (a special treat), and a CAPTAIN JANEWAY QUOTE MUG (“There’s coffee in that nebula”) which has instantaneously become a favorite object. For the culturally bereft among you, Captain Kathryn Janeway is THE Star Trek captain from Voyager. I belong to a Star Trek Voyager Fan Club on FB and even I didn’t know such a mug existed.
I was uncertain about exactly how to structure my first Eid party. I asked Mariko: what do you do to celebrate Eid? She said, “We go to the International House of Pancakes. That’s our favorite breakfast spot. Sometimes we take the kids to an amusement park.” Traditionally, Muslims give money to charity, buy new clothes, and give candy and gifts. I did all of that, and I decorated with banners and balloons and catered the party from a delicious Middle Eastern restaurant. My new outfit? A fuchsia dress! I have worn it to almost every public presentation I’ve done for the past two years. I feel like I’m wearing a secret.
I invited Beth Burnett and her soon-to-be-wife Joy. We hadn’t known each other long. Beth told me it was also Pride Day and she might show up in a rainbow tutu. Great! I said. I think Beth might have been a little nervous because organized religion is not her thing. Of course I had vegan candy and vegan Middle Eastern food for them! Hospitality is the Muslim way.
My church buddy Jacob and his boyfriend came (they won one of the party favors: a gift card to Celebration Cinema). While we were playing Cards Against Humanity, they made a strategic choice with a “Lumberjack in plaid” play and won a hand that delighted them.
When my grandmother died, I said that she’d loved me so well, she taught me how to love other people. And my friends? My friends have taught me that kindness is my calling. That exchanges of kindness build an emotional circle that provides a foundation to protect and shelter me during the grittier seasons of life.
I still believe in goodness. And I still believe in love. Cause I know that it’s kindness that we’re all here to learn. – Laura Love, I Still Believe
Plum Librarian LLC 
That was a wonderful party and I love your gifts! (Especially the Captain Janeway mug – one of my favorite quotes.)
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