Although I am a little bit frustrated with the local papers for never responding to the voicemails I leave them several times a day politely asking why they haven’t reviewed the free books I sent them, I do still get some joy from reading them every Saturday morning while sipping my coffee.
This morning, for instance, I was treated to a hard-hitting interview with Gwen Stefani. A discussion of wedding insurance. And a reminder that tonight is the 1388th anniversary of Mohammed’s famous all-night roadtrip from Mecca to Jerusalem:
Isra and Miraj is such a miraculous story. The trip was witnessed by no one and consequently required the faithful of the time to believe in the unseen. Believing the story of Isra and Miraj today still requires an act of faith — faith that is paramount in Islam because it recognizes God’s ability to make possible the impossible.
Now, I’m sure that Jerusalem is an exciting place to visit. There’s always a chance that you’ll get spit on by Orthodox Jews. You might end up in the middle of a civil war between child-abusers and CPS. Even parking your car is sometimes a grand adventure.
Nonetheless, if we’re going devote scarce newspaper space (and take time out of our busy schedules) to celebrate something “impossible” that also wasn’t observed by anyone, can’t we come up with something a little more imaginative?
Like, how about celebrating the time that I almost stole Melrose Place’s Sydney Andrews away from the evil Dr. Michael Mancini? Or the time that Charles and Buddy ruined my date with Jamie Powell? Or the time that Fergie sang me a Lionel Richie song while I was dressed as a clown?
Or maybe you’re just the sort of faithless jerk who’d rather deny god’s ability to “make possible the impossible.” Who doesn’t believe in “god’s infinite power.” And who doesn’t find fairy tales “spiritually gratifying.”
Well, that’s your loss. Sydney and Jamie and Fergie and I will take a few minutes out of our date tonight to feel sorry for you.
Somehow when I pictured you as the clown, it didn’t feel impossible. I believe. I have faith now.