Deidre's Journey

[DavidFirth]

That sounds like a difficult situation, Deidre. Good luck to you.

 

[Deidre]

That sounds like a difficult situation, Deidre. Good luck to you.

Thank you ...yea, I mean, Idk. I look at this whole thing as a gift...my dad I guess always viewed it as a burden, because he was not raised knowing he was middle eastern. So to him, he is who he is and sees no need to ''explore'' this, but I can't help but think if he had been told that he's half German, or some other ethnicity, if he would have hid it. He hides this from people because he connects radical Islam with the middle east. Well, with Iran and Syria, and my grandfather had Iranian and Syrian bio parents, so.

Never a dull moment in my family.

 

[DavidFirth]

I've traced my family line back to a guy from Galloway who moved to N. Ireland in the 1700's but nobody knows when the family moved back to Galloway so the trail runs cold right there. They may have moved to the US or somewhere else, too, to complicate things even more.

 

[Spiderman]

Dear journal,

My dad and I got into an argument over the fact that I'd like for him to explore our middle eastern heritage...together. He told me he doesn't want to be a ''part of this.'' He apparently is ashamed of this part of his family background. In some ways, I wonder if he's ashamed because my grandfather was adopted, and he feels that his adoptive parents who were Italian, were responsible for raising my grandfather. Not the bio parents (who are middle eastern) who gave him up. I guess that's a valid point, but nonetheless, genetically...I feel this desire to explore my background, now. With or without my dad, but it saddens me that he has hid this from so many people...none of his friends know, no one at church knows, his business associates don't know, so it wasn't only me that he hid it from. I think my dad looks at the middle east and sees radical Islam, and he's blinded by that.

Anyways, that's where I'm at with it all. Going to a middle eastern market soon, to see what to make for dinner. One of my Syrian friends, she is over the moon with this news. She said, ''I always wondered why you looked Iranian.'' lol Oh brother, now everyone thinks I look middle eastern.

I'm happy, and hope my father comes around in his own time. But I won't press him.

That does seem odd that your dad is resistant to being a part of it...

 

[Spiderman]

Thank you ...yea, I mean, Idk. I look at this whole thing as a gift...my dad I guess always viewed it as a burden, because he was not raised knowing he was middle eastern. So to him, he is who he is and sees no need to ''explore'' this, but I can't help but think if he had been told that he's half German, or some other ethnicity, if he would have hid it. He hides this from people because he connects radical Islam with the middle east. Well, with Iran and Syria, and my grandfather had Iranian and Syrian bio parents, so.

Never a dull moment in my family.

It's a gift to be Middle Eastern Deidre ... Abraham is the father of Islam, the father of Judaism, and the father of Christianity. His descendants were the one to receive God's blessings in the Old Testament. Sorry, but your Dad is painfully mistaken

 

[Deidre]

That does seem odd that your dad is resistant to being a part of it...

Well we talked more earlier and I think his issue is that he wasn't raised in the middle eastern culture, nor was his dad, since my grandfather was adopted. So, in his mind he thinks that my grandfather's bio parents were non-existent, and it's how you're raised that matters. He also doesn't like the culture, I know this about my dad, he ties radical Islam to the middle east, and that's all he sees. He can't seem to separate radical Islam from the middle east, so he told me if I want to pursue this, that's fine, but he told me that he's not interested. But, this is now, and he is still dealing with me knowing, so...maybe in time, he will change his mind. It still saddens me that I didn't know this as a kid, because I wonder how my life would have been different if I was raised with that culture in addition to my Italian and Irish backgrounds. Anyways, can't look back anymore, only forward, I guess.

 

[Spiderman]

Well we talked more earlier and I think his issue is that he wasn't raised in the middle eastern culture, nor was his dad, since my grandfather was adopted. So, in his mind he thinks that my grandfather's bio parents were non-existent, and it's how you're raised that matters. He also doesn't like the culture, I know this about my dad, he ties radical Islam to the middle east, and that's all he sees. He can't seem to separate radical Islam from the middle east, so he told me if I want to pursue this, that's fine, but he told me that he's not interested. But, this is now, and he is still dealing with me knowing, so...maybe in time, he will change his mind. It still saddens me that I didn't know this as a kid, because I wonder how my life would have been different if I was raised with that culture in addition to my Italian and Irish backgrounds. Anyways, can't look back anymore, only forward, I guess.

Did you tell your dad about God's blessing in the scripture to the descendants of Abraham?

Anyway, that is cool that you want to get in touch with your roots. Just think, your ancestors were written about in the Bible... Most people can't say that.

When you read the Old Testament especially, you are reading a historical account of your people.

You probably have some Hebrew in you too.

How was the Mid Eastern food?

You would look very cute in a hijab. I'm not saying you should wear one, you have very nice hair especially adorable in pig tails

Did you say your part Iranian?... Persian... Persian culture is rich. Iran is the most powerful Shiite Nation. I always admired the Shiites because they suffer so much at the hands of radical sunnis.

Your people are always winding up in the news

 

[Spiderman]

Persian (Iranian) women are beautiful!

 

[Deidre]

Did you tell your dad about God's blessing in the scripture to the descendants of Abraham?

I haven't yet, but I will. I'm seeing him later.

Anyway, that is cool that you want to get in touch with your roots. Just think, your ancestors were written about in the Bible... Most people can't say that.

What were the gentiles? Were they religious people or were they culturally gentiles?

When you read the Old Testament especially, you are reading a historical account of your people.

I do know the story of Ishmael, and I don't know what to make of it now. From a Biblical perspective, God ''cursed'' Ishmael and his descendants, didn't he?

How was the Mid Eastern food?

Didn't go yesterday but going to go in a few hours. I didn't want to go during rush hour traffic on a Friday, so today, there should be less traffic out there. It's not far but not super close to my house.

You would look very cute in a hijab. I'm not saying you should wear one, you have very nice hair especially adorable in pig tails

Did you say your part Iranian?... Persian... Persian culture is rich. Iran is the most powerful Shiite Nation. I always admired the Shiites because they suffer so much at the hands of radical sunnis.

Your people are always winding up in the news

Yes, Iranian and Syrian, and you are funny about the hijab. I learned that the hijab is cultural in Iran, and is actually mandatory there. Even for westerners visiting. There is a movement about westerners coming there to boycott the hijab because no one should be forced to wear it. lol I don't think I'll wear it since for me, I think it symbolizes Islam, and I'm not Muslim. My friends who are Muslim sometimes wear hijab and sometimes don't, but they are Muslim. Maybe I'll change my view, but like maybe for Christmas, I will buy a pretty head scarf and wear it as a hijab.

 

[Spiderman]

You might have some Hebrew blood too, cuz there were Jews in that area

Ishmael and his descendants were blessed as well.
Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

Ah... You would look so adorable and modest in a headscarf ... But I wasn't encouraging you to wear a hijab, only unless you want to visit the Middle East or something. That is good that your Muslim friends sometimes don't dress like that... I like to see Muslims feel like they can be free to do as they please and be westernized a bit... The forced dress code always bothered me.

 

[Spiderman]

Oh and in answer to your question, from what I read, the Gentiles were pagan primarily before Christianity.

But this is the guy you are related to:

God told Abram. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you”(Genesis 12:1-3, NIV).

What a special person to be related to Dei! . All people on Earth will be blessed through him.

((Hugssss))

 

[Deidre]

The hijab is really beautiful, my Muslim friends don't see it as oppressive, and they wear it sometimes out if they feel like it.

Thank you for all the kind things you share here, Pope. You have a lot of joy to give and it shows. I know you feel down sometimes, but stay focused on your faith, in yourself and your values...and in God if you believe, and things will turn out okay.

So, tonight I made an Iranian salad to go with dinner. My husband grilled chicken, and I also cooked some falafel that we bought already done from the middle eastern market and I used yogurt as a dipping ''sauce.''. The market was so awesome. It was like stepping into another country, to be honest. Arabic music, the shop was small and slightly run down, and it had spices, desserts, meats, some produce, coffee, and art relating to Islam. Most of food items are directly from Jordan, Lebanaon and Turkey. I was so happy we went!

Here is a pic of the salad that I made earlier, it was truly so yummy, and healthy!

I really had a great day.

 

[DavidFirth]

Persian (Iranian) women are beautiful!
View attachment 19011

When Atlanta hosted the Olympics I learned that women from all over the world are beautiful.

 

[Spiderman]

When Atlanta hosted the Olympics I learned that women from all over the world are beautiful.

True!

 

[DavidFirth]

True!

Did you see the lady in the Turkish TV series 1001 nights?

 

[DavidFirth]

Sorry, Deidre, please don't be offended at us derailing your thread.

 

[Spiderman]

Did you see the lady in the Turkish TV series 1001 nights?

No...well , now I have

 

[Spiderman]

I love Deidster

 

[DavidFirth]

No...well , now I have

I've been getting into Turkish TV shows. Very entertaining. Their form of Islam isn't too overwhelming and their women dress very conservatively but with no hoods and stuff. If you ever get the chance to watch them with English subtitles I would recommend that show among others. Among foreign TV shows I only like British and Turkish.

 

[Deidre]

haha I remember when you came up with that song back on the atheist forums...

People will view that and be like...omg, what is he saying? lol But, I know you. And I know you're going to make it, you will. You'll see. Let yourself believe in yourself, friend.