As the raindrops fell from the sky, each face was soaked with tears and grief. The sky was dark and the wind shot cold air at everyone like a shock of realization that this man so alive was now dead. People all around me were displaying sadness in their own way. I stood there, my face wet with tears, as I watched the man, I once knew lying there in his coffin as if he was asleep. His white clothes shined with brightness as if the sun was somehow centered there. I watched as the coffin’s top was being placed on the white slab and the body was never to be seen again. As a yellow bulldozer lifted the coffin, I recalled how, while battling with cancer that same man continued to work hard towards improving the school that I currently was attending. His life was devoted to my school, Crescent Academy International. It was his greatest achievement, giving him an ongoing supply of good deeds. When the coffin was lowered into the dirt, I thought how everyone returns to God eventually and this was his time. As people rushed to take a shovel to bury the coffin, I grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into the hole. This was my way of saying thank you and goodbye to this great man.

In my life, I have been blessed to have so many experiences that have now helped shape that who I am. My teacher, Ms. Odeh says, “Learn from the past, live in the present and change the future.” That funeral was one of the saddest but life changing moments of my life. This has given me a new perspective on the things that really matter and how we should live in this world.

These days, we are looking at the houses since my dad has changed job. While we are looking at these houses and debating about how much square foot space we need. We forget that it does not matter how big or small a house one lives in, be it a mansion or a small cottage, at the end the final destination is that grave. Br. Dawud lived all his life not worrying about these materialistic things, did not build himself a mansion, instead built for our community a great institution, Crescent Academy International. That is his legacy.

Life and death are two things that affect people. Life brings happiness and joy while death brings sadness and pain. I believe that if one truly believes in an
afterlife, then it is the opposite; for them this life is nothing to be happy
about but it is death, which is the gateway to the true life. A grave may be a
place of grief for one but in reality it is a home for the person who passes
away. This life is meant to see how big of a grave our deeds can buy. This life
is a test and meant for these decisions and trials. It does not matter whether
one lives in a mansion or a small house but I hope and pray that we all be
granted a grave, the fraction of the size of Br Dawud’s. May Allah bless his
soul and bless us with likes of him. May Allah fill his grave with light and
elevate his ranks. I wish and pray that we all end up in a grave that is as wide
as the eyes can see and that would fit the galaxies.

• Our lunch program has expanded alhumdulillah! Now serving delicious & nutritious meals Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 
• No school for mid-winter break Friday, Feb. 17 - Tuesday, Feb. 21
• Join our Coffee Hour & PTO meeting open to all, Crescent family & community friends from 8:30 am - 10:30 am
• Teacher In-service Day Tuesday, Feb. 21
• Young Authors' Conference Wednesday, Feb. 22
• Accreditation Days! QAR: Quality Assurance Review Team to visit our Blessed school on Tuesday, Feb. 28 - Wednesday, Feb. 29
• Our campus hosts the Presidential Primary Elections in the Activity Bldg on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 6 am - 10:30 pm