That One Beautiful Moment

By Namarek Beyat, Guemar, Algeria

As I entered the school where I teach, I noticed something strange. All my coworkers and the students were standing outside the classrooms, discussing something in hushed but excited voices. I approached one of them and asked, "What's happening?" She said in a very sad tone, "Everything will be shut down for a while because of that new virus.”

A few days after the shutdown in Algeria, I did some research about the coronavirus and realized that the lock down was the best way to fight this killing disease.

Since I'm a very extroverted person who is always outdoors, socializing with people and working on improving myself, I felt a little bit trapped. Then I told myself that it might be a chance for me to discover new areas in myself.

I made plans and to-do lists that started with working out, meditating, reading all the books that I didn't have time to read before, writing down all my thoughts and emotions that I couldn't let out, because I was so caught up with my external world. Finally, i would have the time to talk and chat with myself, working on my spiritual side with reciting the holy book and doing more prayers. Most importantly, I had time for cooking. I started learning the basics by watching YouTube videos from different cultures. The best dish that I have cooked so far is Spanish churros with chocolate sauce.

Then, two months after the lock down, the holy month of Ramadan came to enlighten our days. I stayed at my sister's house, to help her with the household and take care of her, because she was eight months pregnant.

On the 28th of Ramadan, after praying Al-fajr (the dawn prayer), my sister came into my room and told me, "The baby is coming!" I felt so happy, but also a little bit of stress, because I was concerned about my sister's health and her baby during this pandemic. Her husband and I took her to the hospital, and by noon we got the greatest news ever: my sister had a baby boy.

I went inside to see that beautiful angel who got me promoted to being an aunt. The moment I got there and looked right into his eyes, I felt like the whole world was a silent witness of me having one of my most beautiful moments in life.