The Meaning of Ramadan

It was almost here. Children in my Egyptian neighborhood collected money for our street decoration fund, women cleaned their homes and I started making paper lanterns for our balcony. My mom would take me to the market where dried fruit, nuts and cooking supplies were proudly displayed because it was almost here. I never understood the family arguments over who got the first day to host our family iftar when it finally was here. My school closed an hour early. Everyone was excited about our guest, the holy month of Ramadan.