Last night I called my uncle to brainstorm words of endearment for today’s writing, which I imagined would be a commentary on the loving second-language Farsi most familiar to me, but what sprung forth was a slice of our relationship instead.
Yazdah saleh peesh, vakhti amadi baraye aroosimoon, dotah dastato mesle doorbin gerefti kenare cheshmet.
Gofti “click,” mikhasti axkseh mano Jon begeri vakhti khodafezy mikardim be mehmoonah.
Yadam narafteh.
Ehsan dishab azam porsid, “Chera eeghad mikhandi?”
Lahzehaye khandoonham mimoonan.
Barayeh Daey Hossainam. Loghatayeh eshgh baraye shoma
Eleven years ago, when you came for our wedding, you held up two hands to create a camera frame near your eyes.
You said “click,” taking an imaginary image of Jon and me waving goodbye to our guests.
I didn’t forget.
Last night Ehsan asked, “What are you laughing so hard?”
Moments of laughter linger too.
For my Uncle Hossy, who deserves all the words of endearment. Thank you for brainstorming with me.
Slice of Life, Day 12
Thank you for your memory in both languages. I love how you painted a picture with your words of a loving Uncle.
I work at a dual language campus; we have many more languages spoken in our students’ homes, and I am constantly in awe of their ability to think in so many words. Learning a language to that level has been a goal just out of my reach, as I try and try again to attain fluency–now it’s Spanish for my campus, Japanese for my son-in-law. I have not listened to Farsi spoken often; it is beautiful, as are the terms of endearment and your love for your uncle. Thank you for the wonderful audio today!
I am so glad we received the invitation to slice in our home language. I am so glad I came here to read and hear your words. Thank you!
I love that the conversation about words led to the memory and also to the sharing of the memory with Ehsan. I just read the chapter in Risk, Fail, Rise about the stories families tell. Your stories AND the words are important and your kids recognize that.
I have to say- I don’t think I could take anyone seriously who called me a word that meant the fire in the belly or my sweet flower…
It was a pleasure reading your post. I love to get to know these words of endorsement in Farsi!
This is so beautiful. I love hearing you speak in Farsi and English – it helps love the sound of the language as it is meant to sound. It adds a layer of meaning. A slice is just that – someone slowing down to capture the moment in front them as your uncle it. This slice honors and represents what we are committing to this month. Thank you for sharing and encouraging us through the words of your uncle.
Nawal, this is so very beautiful. What a tribute to your dear uncle. This line was so telling of your time spent with him: "…what sprung forth was a slice of our relationship instead."
I love the idea of layering your posts with photos and audio, as well.
What a gift to hear your voice, hear the tenderness, hear your languages of love. Thank you so much!
I love when we can recall moments that brought laughter and feel some of the same joy over again. My cousin, Scott, and I laugh and laugh and laugh when we’re together (sometimes it’s over the most ridiculous memories from our childhoods). Those are the best moments!
I loved hearing the endearment in your voice as you read this slice, Nawal, and I love that you included both written forms of Farsi as well as the English and the audio! Your uncle sounds so special and you’ve captured your relationship with him so well in such fleeting moments: a sweet memory and current laughter. Terms of endearment are so special, and I loved seeing your list with the translations: I think my favorite are "my sweet flower" and "light of my eye", and I’m certainly curious about "my liver"! My mom has always called me "sweet pea" and her "little chickadee", and I’ve always wondered where those came from, as well as how many terms of endearment are particular to a certain culture or locale vs. how many are unique to a certain family or person! Such a fun post!
There was so much warmth in this story. Thank you so much for sharing in both language, both voices of love and care.
Your brainstorming session with your uncle expanded the world a little for all of us. Thank you for taking the time to include the translations. "My liver" happens to be my favorite. 🥰 Aren’t special uncles the best?
Hi Nawal joon,
My parents have exact same photo in their album, this is taken in our house at my elder brother first birthday, 4 years before I yet to born, 1975. Noushin