In Search Of The Marvelous Lamp

Just then, as if on cue, Antonello, Bharat, Yuri, and Sonia appeared, each transformed into the forms of children no older than eight years old. They approached Eduardo with calm, expectant looks in their eyes. Despite their youthful appearances, Eduardo recognized them immediately. He saw in their eyes, now childlike, the promise and dreams of great things.

As he beheld them, Eduardo thought of the Dreamers. He had seen those eyes before, in all of them. Yes, they all dreamed of great things.

Eduardo firmly believed that all human beings were spiritually connected. The Dreamers were undoubtedly so. Their bond was woven through invisible threads, an unbreakable union among their souls, which manifested in a series of signs and events that others might dismiss as mere coincidences. Some of the Dreamers saw them as sacred connections, arising from past lives or the forces of destiny; for Eduardo, it was much simpler: it was the union of souls bound by love.

Eduardo thought that the Dreamers, like him, were all passionately in love with life, seizing each day to immerse themselves in the world’s splendor. Faced with a world that often leaned toward cultural plurality and contestation, the Dreamers had always found opportunities to reflect on how their connections with others could be forged and strengthened.

— “There is no strength nor power but in God, the High, the Great!” — Eduardo suddenly heard. — “Yes, Eduardo,” the Voice affirmed. — “The Dreamers have chosen to love. Love involves choice—the choice to create meaning from raw experiences, to be bold and vulnerable, to reach beyond oneself to communicate and commune. When we choose to love, we move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect and find ourselves in one another,” said the Voice.

As little Eduardo contemplated this message, the magic carpet was unrolled before him once again. It was larger this time. Little Antonello, Bharat, Yuri, and Sonia sat upon it, reaching out their hands to lovingly invite him to join them.

In the blink of an eye, a wild journey of unexpected discoveries commenced. Eduardo beheld palaces, houses, shops, subterranean rooms, and myriad interior spaces. The children and he encountered many characters from the 1001 Nights. They met Scheherazade, who captivated them with her storytelling and clues regarding the whereabouts of the Lamp, along with Aladdin, Simbad, Ali Baba, the Hunchback, the Tailor and the Porter and even Harun al-Rashid, the wise ruler. They soared from the winding alleyways of Fez and the bustling souks of Marrakesh to the wind-whipped beaches of Tangier and the extraordinary vineyards of Volubilis. They lost themselves for hours in medieval medinas, bartering with artisans for hand-sewn leather goods, silver jewelry, and intricately woven rugs. They sipped fresh mint tea from glass cups and savored sumptuous meals, accompanied by exquisite Moroccan wines—white, rosé, and red—before retreating to the tranquility of courtyards and palace gardens.

Morocco was alive with stalls shaded by green umbrellas, shopkeepers selling treasures of the land. Eduardo and the children heard the sizzle of food, soon drowned out by the infectious sound of music and a growing crowd of dancers. Men beat on drums and strummed their strings, creating an irresistible rhythm. Everyone was dancing—even the snake charmers’ snakes swayed to the beat. Three beautiful women, draped in silk, swayed gracefully, the gold beads on their costumes jingling as they gyrated their hips. The children and Eduardo joined in, laughing and twirling, unconcerned if they resembled the snakes more than the belly dancers.

Next, they explored the markets of Fez with a Michelin-starred chef and met some of the country’s top fashion designers, who crafted bespoke outfits for luxury gala events in Morocco. They ventured into the shifting dunes of the desert on camels, staying in custom-built luxury Berber tents. They flew high above the Atlas Mountains and soon found themselves, back again, in the heart of Souk Semmarine, a maze-like market in Marrakech.

As Eduardo gazed up at the sky, sweat trickling down his brow, wondering if they would ever return, they suddenly soared down an alley. They flew out of the souk and higher into the air, dodging shoppers and tourists, marveling at how the carpet knew its way. They descended into a garden filled with vibrant blue and yellow buildings. Peaceful fountains bubbled amid towering cacti and tall palm trees. Deep green vines draped above shaded paths, while bright bougainvillea flowers clung to the walls.

As Eduardo and the children admired the gardens, feeling relaxed and fulfilled under a palm tree’s shade, a gentle breeze carried a voice: — “There is no strength nor power but in God, the High, the Great! 

— “You have witnessed what awaits you and the Dreamers. This is the land where you are to search for the Marvelous Lamp next September,” said the Voice. 

— “Yes. Inshallah, God willing, we shall be here together, searching for the Marvelous Lamp and living the dream of the 1001 Nights in beautiful Morocco as we write the 1002nd night when we find the lamp that was stolen from us,” Eduardo replied.

— “Now, Eduardo, without delay, take a pen and papyrus. You’ll find them beneath the carpet. Write down the message I will dictate to you, which you must share with all the Dreamers,” commanded the Voice.

— “I hear and obey,” Eduardo responded, uncovering a beautiful silver pen and papyrus as instructed.

— “Ready. Please share the message; tell me what to write,” Eduardo said.

— “I am not dictating what to write; I will only voice what I hear in your heart. It is a simple message. The Dreamers will listen,” the Voice replied in a loving, reassuring tone.

“Dear Dreamers, 

Please know with absolute certainty that as I boarded the Magic Carpet, ALL OF YOU, without exception, were with me. Your reflections live within my soul and heart. You were there with me, alongside all your apprehensions, beliefs, fears, religions, phobias, concerns, and tastes. I perceived everything from your perspectives.

 I thought of you all, feeling your presence. I considered our lady friends and the comfort needed for us to dress as we wish, without excuses or judgment. I envisioned us savoring a good glass of wine, scotch, or champagne without offending anyone. I thought of our Jewish friends and our Christian friends in this increasingly intolerant world, and was pleasantly surprised to discover a welcoming, diverse population in Morocco.

Trust me, as Aladdin implored Princess Jasmine, we wouldn’t be seeking the Marvelous Lamp if any of my friends felt unwelcome, fearful, or uncomfortable in this country. I assure you, you will feel perfectly safe and welcomed, and you will fall in love with the country and its people. The Royal Palace is also extending us the courtesy of security, which, while unnecessary, I very much welcome, if only to help us navigate the bustling traffic when we are not flying on our magic carpets.

Let us all look forward to the adventure that awaits us. Let us begin dreaming together as we embark on Pam’s 2025 quest, In Search of The Marvelous Lamp. Ultimately, it is the dream-like quality of the Arabian Nights that appeals to us, as our lives are merely stories waiting to be written, intertwined with yours through love and friendship. Let us live our stories together and be the main characters in our tales, where reality is the dream and our dreams become reality. Like Scheherazade, our dream endures only as long as we can tell a story. Our dream lives on as long as we write our lives into existence.

This year, I invite you to join me in writing this 1002nd chapter in our life stories, living it to the fullest.

Let us draw upon the messages and lessons of this gathering to live and write our stories, keeping in mind that we seek the Magical Lamp to craft our narratives rather than waiting for life to happen to us. The Thousand and One Nights is a multitude of tales, where one story frames another, creating an intricate tapestry. Your stories are extraordinary. Like the Arabian Nights, our collective narratives intertwine like a spider’s web, with threads and passages leading in all directions, reflecting the loving friendships that you, my dear friends, embody.

This journey, like others, serves as a reminder for us all to fully participate as writers, directors, and main characters in our stories, never merely as spectators. I know each of you will find the Lamp, and I even foresee your wishes when the genie appears.

 So please take a comfortable seat on the magic carpet as we prepare to travel through time and dimensions to the land of deserts, caravans, spices, sultans, princesses, genies, magicians, and mysteries—ready to live a tale untold of our Arabian Nights that, after much excitement, will lead us back to the peace of our hearts, where our eyes will find solace in the familiar gazes and light of our friends.

Let us embrace this opportunity to intersect our daily rituals and aspirations, forging stronger ties with one another. More importantly, let us explore how a sense of collective identity and shared responsibility can be nurtured to contribute to a world increasingly fractured and divided.

I thank you sincerely in advance for trusting me and allowing me to write the introduction to this next chapter in all our lives, as we together shall live and share the story of our journey into the dream of the 1002nd Arabian Night in beautiful Morocco.”

— “Full stop, Eduardo,” said the Voice. — “Your heart has spoken. The Dreamers will listen and find comfort in your assurances. The path is ready. You have eleven months to prepare for the Search. I will be with you in the coming months to guide and counsel you,” concluded the Voice. 

— “Don’t leave,”--- Eduardo implored, urgency evident in his voice. — “I need your help. Before we say goodbye, please tell me how I can reach and find the inner children among the Dreamers.”

 — “There is no power or strength save in God, the Almighty, the Magnificent. You and the Dreamers shall act in accordance with the wisdom of one of the poets,”--- commanded the Voice.

   • For thou wilt find another land when you depart; but no soul shall find the Magic Lamp in Morocco unless they perceive the land through a child’s eyes. Always seek the place and occasion where you are treasured, wanted, and loved. Approach Morocco with an open heart and soul.

   • All Dreamers must read “The 1001 Nights.”

   • Grieve not over the passage of years but find solace in the flow of time. Have the Dreamers send you a picture of themselves as children, between the ages of five and eight.

   • Do not hold on to what you do not understand. For hearing, sight, and mind—these are your responsibilities. Empty your heart and mind of any prejudices or preconceived notions regarding Morocco.

   • Send not your messenger on an important errand; for the soul has no faithful minister save itself. The Dreamers, as children, once more, are to witness, search for, and find the Marvelous Lamp.

— “We hear and obey,” --- said Eduardo.

Suddenly, it began to rain. Wind and thunder unleashed an unexpected squall. Neither Eduardo nor the other children sought cover. They looked up at the sky, joyfully turning their faces toward the downpour, allowing the heavy droplets to splatter against their skin and hair as the wind swept them like leaves. They held hands and laughed. In an instant, their bodies felt heavy, a stark contrast to the lightness they had experienced while flying on the carpet.

A phone rang. The wind subsided, and the rain ceased. It was Mel. They were adults again. Eduardo was needed for a meeting.

In the blink of an eye, Eduardo, in a suit and tie, found himself walking towards his office. He was back in Singapore. As he entered, Mel handed him an envelope labeled “Eduardo, Personal.” He opened it and read the card inside.

“The magic is yours to keep, as long as you always believe.”

Eduardo smiled, and the Voice whispered in his ear as he walked toward the meeting room, — “This story of yours and the Dreamers will not conclude with the 1002nd Night, for it is a tale of your love for Pam, your children and your friends, a narrative that cannot be told in less than a lifetime.”

With a smile, Eduardo walked into the meeting room, knowing full well that much work lay ahead.