A 24‑Hour Hourglass That Reminded Me What Time Means - As‑Salam
As‑Salamualaikum - my mum has always been kind and thoughtful, but this year she gave me something that became more than just a birthday gift. It felt like a lesson, a gentle nudge, and a wake‑up call all at once. I turned 24, and even though I don’t live with her anymore, she still found a way to send this to me. She ordered it online, wrapped it up herself, and shipped it to my place. It was a 24‑hour hourglass. At first I laughed, thinking it was one of those quirky symbolic gifts people give. But then I opened a little handwritten note she tucked inside the box, and everything shifted. She wrote: “I’ve watched you grow and achieve so much. But I don’t want you to stop dreaming or becoming. Every new day is a fresh 24 hours, a chance to offer your best for the sake of Allah. Don’t stop halfway like I once did. If there is still potential in you, and still time in the day, even one minute is enough to move forward. Every time you flip this hourglass, remember that you still can.” I didn’t just tear up - I cried. That message reached a part of me I didn’t realize needed healing. It made me see that time isn’t the enemy; it’s an opportunity, a daily reset, a quiet companion encouraging us to act. It reminded me of the hadith about valuing time and making the most of our days. The hourglass sits on my table now, and whenever I glance at it, I remember a simple truth: as long as there is time in the day, there is room to become more, to try again, to grow. Honestly, that might be the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received.