Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

Every year, from as far back as I can remember, my dad has always bought a box of choco- lates for my sisters, and our mom and I on Valentine's Day. I no longer celebrate Valen- tine's Day, but since I still live with my parents; I received a box of chocolates this year.

As per my dad's custom, he bought boxes of assorted chocolates. So, as usual, my sisters and I would squash and break open each chocolate to see its filling. It made me remember the very popular line from the movie 'Forest Gump'; 'My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." And its so true. Sometimes God (or, Allah as I call him) blesses you with things beyond your wildest dreams, and sometimes He allows bad things to happen to you. But, overall, Allah is exalted in might, the wise*.

The celebrations vary depending on which part of the world you're in. In Texas, a lot of people buy Valentine goodies for friends as well as their significant other. In New York, its more common for people to only buy goodies for their significant other. In Grenada, however, heart shaped decorations and treats are not so common. But what is common is something basically unheard of in the USA; people go around hugging their friends and acquaintances. My first Valentine's Day in Grenada had me a bit confused... Everyone was hugging me! I couldn't figure out why, but then my best friend and cousin, Shena told me that's the custom.

Even though I was a bit hesitant this year for religious reasons, I did open my box of chocolates. I read the ingredients, and saw that some of the chocolates contained gelatin. There was no 'K'; indicating kosher, or 'M' for halal, so I just ate the caramel filled ones and discarded the rest.

It's kind of odd having everyone around you celebrate a holiday that you don't, but my living and my dying are for Allah alone, the Lord of the worlds**. Even the food blog scene was buzzing with Valentine's Day posts and recipes for chocolate bon-bons and heart shaped treats.

I worked the day before Valentines Day, and everyone (co-workers, boss, and clients) was so cheerful and greeted each other with 'Happy Valentine's Day'. Whenever someone told me that, I would simply pretend I didn't hear, or respond with; 'good afternoon', or 'have a nice day', etc. - whichever was appropriate. One of my co-workers, Christina, told me she has been disappointed on several Valentine's Days over and has lost all love for the holiday. In fact, she says she is 'anti-valentine's day'. So, at least I wasn't alone in not celebrating.

* Qur'an 59:24
**Qur'an 6:162


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