amal is a beautiful young university student. i met her one day while studying in the library (i’m also a university student… though not as young and definitely not beautiful). she drew me in with her enigmatic jokes, and easy way of brushing off every attempt i made at getting to know her. (she reminds me of myself in so many ways that it is now creepy) so i was surprised when she asked me out for coffee. i thought she wouldn’t want to know me.
we went out. within a few short minutes it became apparent that i had a choice. amal was not interested in giving anything of herself to a conversation, but she expected that i would ask her questions and try to get to know her. probably this is the angle that most people would take, but i was impatient – hey, my time is valuable, alright!!! (really… it is! …)
so instead, i told her that i would not ask her any questions, and that she could ask me whatever she wanted. i guess young people enjoy the power they think such games give them, because she dove right in. asking me questions about my family, my career, my friendships, my relationships… the list goes on. that first meeting was possible one of the most awkward few hours of my life. and the most exhausting. and i still knew nothing tangible about her except her first name.
however, her questions told me a lot about where she was at in life. at her age i was asking the same questions, considering the same options, and annoying the same types of people! i decided that i was in. amal would be my friend.
O DWELLERS OF MY PARADISE!With the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship, and have watered it with the goodly showers of My tender grace; now that the hour of its fruiting is come, strive that it may be protected, and be not consumed with the flame of desire and passion.(Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
