Childhood Memories - Mehran Assembly Hall

Thursdays, for many reasons, were always my favorite day of the week at Mehran School. Firstly, it was a half-day school day and we would get off at noon. Secondly, due to being a half day, teachers rarely scheduled an exam on Thursdays. Thirdly, sometimes, the school would show a movie in the assembly hall an hour before dismissal. The assembly hall was on the fourth floor of the building and was quite large. It had a stage too where many plays and musicals were performed by students over the years. The room also served as an examination hall on a regular basis, particularly for upperclassmen. But, its most favorite usage for me personally was during the periods when a movie was shown, as a perfect ending to a busy week of learning. If I recall correctly, the movie days were always a surprise and they would not let us know in advance. I suppose it was kind of like a pop-quiz with the difference that instead of instilling worry and fear in our hearts, it would instill joy, excitement and relief. I can still feel the exuberance and the commotion in the hall when students were competing for the best seats and the apprehension and guess-work to find out what movie was selected.

New Year's Eve Message

On the eve of a new Persian New Year and the beginning of spring, I have been reading up news on the status of COVID-19 disease around the world.  The news is certainly sobering and quite contradictory to the expected spirit of such a night. Iranians have celebrated the festival of Nowruz for thousands of years, and this is the first time, in my lifetime, I have witnessed a halt to typical Nowruz traditions, both inside and outside of Iran. All New Year events, gatherings, visits, trips, shopping, concerts, and parties are cancelled all over the world. COVID-19 has managed a feat which the hardliners in the Islamic Republic were never able to achieve in forty-one years of power! COVID-19 has brought Iran to its knees. I have this overwhelming sense of dread and despair for the innocent people of Iran who, for over four decades, have been tangled up in one devastating event after another caused by their government and the constant feud between the governments of Iran and the United States. The nation of Iran is being ravaged by COVID-19 presently, but due to the US sanctions, the Iranian people are succumbing to this virus in large numbers due to lack of medical supplies and the long suffering of medical facilities from shortage of equipment, parts, medicine, etc. Even now, as the world is in the clutches of an epidemic, the US sanctions are not yet lifted and the horrifying plight of Iranians are overlooked by the world. I am extremely worried about my homeland, but more importantly, I am worried about the fate of my parents, aunts, cousins, and friends. I feel totally helpless.

The Little Scion that could

Today I had to part with a dear companion forever. A companion who had served me most loyally for almost fifteen years and who had provided me with countless hours of entertainment, listening, and counseling. A companion who had never lost its patience with me and silently let me unburden myself over the years of my heartaches, frustrations, and despair.

The human heart’s capacity for love is immense, and most of us are capable of bestowing our love on not only our fellow humans but also on animals, and sometimes on material objects as well. We all have a favorite piece of clothing that we cherish and cannot discard, or memorabilia from different stages of our lives or travels that we have kept for ages, or the cup that someone gifted us many years ago, etc.  We humans are able to get attached to anyone or anything that we come in contact with that holds a special sentimental value for us.

I personally can get easily attached to most things, from my family, friends, coworkers, neighbors to my favorite café, grocery store, restaurant, etc., and lastly to my car.

Today was a hard day because I had to leave behind my little buddy, Scion, on a car dealership lot in Iowa and return home with Ruby, my new car. Scion was not simply a means of transportation for me. It had been my silent companion for almost fifteen years. That little car was filled with precious memories.