A prayer for hope

Be safe, to be happy, and to be free

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A prayer for hope
by Nazy Kaviani
22-Mar-2010
 

In the early hours of Saturday, I set our Nowruz spread. [photo essay]

I grew up in a household of ceremonies and rituals.  Everything was a BIG deal to my parents, worthy of time, attention, and love.  Of all the ceremonies celebrated in my childhood, however, nothing was as big as Nowruz.  Weeks of preparations and cleaning chores and shopping delivered my family into the moments the year changed, the biggest deal of the year.  I left my parents' home when I was 18.  Whatever I learned there has obviously made a serious impact on me!  I have celebrated Nowruz at my home and away, in a small student studio or in the middle of life-changing crises, in foreign lands and in Iran.  However and wherever I have celebrated the beginning of the New Day, it has been with thought, love, and hope.  It remains the biggest deal of the year to me and to my children now, for it is the one occasion which is about hope and optimism.

My father taught us to pray during the moments the year changed.  The prayer was simple and in Farsi, wishing for peace, happiness, prosperity, and love--not just for ourselves, but for others, for the world.  I have no memory more comforting and joyful than a group prayer of my huge family, gathered around the Nowruz spread, wishing good things for the world.  I remain sold on the idea.

As I was setting my Haft Seen again, I prayed.  I prayed for joy for the whole world.  I prayed for peace for all.  I prayed for patience for the parents of the people who lost their lives for freedom this past year.  I prayed for hope to remain alive and well in the hearts of all those abused, tortured, and imprisoned, and for all who witnessed this with anxious hearts.  I prayed for all Iranians to be safe, to be happy, and to be free.  I prayed for freedom for Iran.

Happy New Year to everyone.  Let this be the year when there will be no tears.  Let this be the year for laughter, for peace, for joy, for beshkan, and for lives full of hope. [photo
essay
]

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Rafaels

Your article is fine for all

by Rafaels on

Your article is fine for all its distinctive features.


tissa

Lovely

by tissa on

Beautiful photos and story.  Makes me miss Norooz with my family in Iran.  Happy new year, Nazy joon.


Nazy Kaviani

Eid-e shoma mobarak!

by Nazy Kaviani on

Anahid Jan,
Pers66 Jan,
MPD Jan,

Thank you so much for visiting and for leaving me your thoughtful comments. I wish the new year is full of joy and peace for you and your families and all Iranians worldwide.


Multiple Personality Disorder

Dear Nazy,

by Multiple Personality Disorder on

What I like the most about your article is how your love for your family, traditions, rituals, and ceremonies comes through simple words, and yet your essay is so powerful.  The joy of remembering those wonderful days are so vivid and heartfelt in your writing.

I remember keeping the children happy during Norooz time was a significant part of the Norooz celebration.  I remember back then when I was a kid, my oldest sister used to make some of the sweets for Norooz.  The one that the kids liked the most was shirini panjereh'ee.  We couldn't wait to get our hands on those heavenly treats.  My sister also made our clothes for us.  The sound of sewing machine, the smell of fabrics being ironed, and the smell of fresh sweets are what I remember the most about Norooz.

Those were the best of times and thank you for reminding me of those days with your lovely piece of writing.  And, your haft seen table is also so lovely and beautiful.


PERS66

A prayer for hope ;) Thanks for sharing the love...

by PERS66 on

                                                                                                                            چه دعایی کنمت بهتر از این خنده‌ات از ته دل،گریه‌ات از سر شوق،روزگارت همه شاد،سفره ات رنگارنگ،تنت سالم و شاد،که بخندی همه عمر.


Anahid Hojjati

Nazy jan, what a beautiful sofreh haft seen

by Anahid Hojjati on

 

Dear Nazy, Saale no mobarak and as you wrote:"Let this be the year when there will be no tears.  Let this be the year for laughter, for peace, for joy, for beshkan, and for lives full of hope."