Halla Jomaa: Balancing three roles in life, "I gain patience during the month ..."

I’m a Mom, I’m a working person and I’m a student—and I have to balance all of those things while I’m fasting in Ramadan.
    I’m a full-time university student, studying health-care administration. So, I have that whole part of my life.

    Then, as a working person, I’m a big caffeine addict and I’m not taking in my usual caffeine. But, ironically, I gain patience during the month. I work part time in the administrative office of a hospital. Maybe it’s because I’m fasting and I’m constantly remembering the way that I should act. I’m more likely to remember the need to be patient with other people. I don’t have the caffeine there keeping my mind stimulated and focused like normal and yet I am more mindful throughout the day, because I’m remembering these things carefully during Ramadan. At night, if I have to work the following day, generally I can’t go to the mosque at night. I try to, but the programs run late.

    Then, I’m a Mom and that means I’m definitely a role model to my three daughters in Ramadan. My first fast was when I was 11. My twins are only 6 and my other daughter is 7 but, for a couple of years now, my oldest has been bugging me about when she can fast. It’s just such a happy month, they’re so eager to be fully a part of all of it. Every night, we sit down with the whole family—almost like a Thanksgiving every night. Obviously my daughters are too young to fast, but their enthusiasm for it gives you an idea of our feelings about the month.

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