In the summer of 2023, my grandmother folded a prayer mat. She placed it in my hands before I left Africa for America. The fabric was warm yet cool in her hands. It smelled of perfume with a Sweet, comforting scent. As I was looking at the prayer mat, she looked at me and said, “Use this when you pray and keep me in as many supplications as you can.” When I went back to America, I unfolded it in my room. The beautiful patterns sketch out like a map. Once I finished my prayer, I was about to get up, but my grandmother's words reverberated in my head, keep me in your Supplications. As I recall, my body instinctively sits down as my legs feel the soft fabric of the mat, and my hands come together to form a cup as I slowly make supplication. As I do it feels like a bridge has formed between my grandma and me, connecting us. So far yet so close, and this reminds me that distance does not break our connection. She is in every Supplication I offer. 

– MA

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