Joining the Ma’Khala’s – Or Welcome to my Angelic Little Niece

I started the day in the best way possible yesterday with a text from my brother-in-law at dawn announcing the birth of Fashionista Sisters baby. We've all been waiting on tenterhooks the last few days as her due date approached and praying for her, particularly since the day before when she mentioned that she thought contractions were starting.

She has had a long and pretty horrific delivery and is recovering now. My little niece is being observed and will be in the hospital for a few days as she recovers from the very traumatic birth. I've only just seen the pictures yet as I haven’t been able to get to Luton where my sister lives, but I am in love already. She is such a serene looking baby with very soulful, wise eyes. What I call an old soul. Seeing as I was born middle-aged, perhaps a kindred spirit.

All of this means that I join a special group – that of the khala’s, which means maternal aunt or mum’s sister in Urdu. When Little Lady was little she often used to describe my sisters who doted on her as “You know my khala J, she did this” or “You know my khala M, she said…”. Over time, I named them collectively as the “ma’khala’s”. So now I am a ma’khala, 11 years after making my sisters khala’s. Insh’Allah going to be the most loving khala ever.

So proud of my brother-in-law too mash'Allah, he really tried to care for her and when he announced the birth, he mentioned how grateful he was to have her as his wife.  Please, please make dua for my sister and her baby as they have a bit of a way to go until they feel 100%.  

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