When we lose someone close to us, it hits a part of our soul that awakens our heart and mind to come face to face with our own mortality, in multiple ways. 

We evaluate what means most to us. We get rid of excuses we held onto for self preservation, and we pause and reflect on the attributes of our loved one, and want to honor their legacy in some way. 

Funerals and memorial services are for the living. They are a time for many, to create a closure of some kind, but somehow, the void in our hearts never closes, it’s not meant to. 

Connections and love are never a mistake, even if pain comes in the end. Because “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”

Brene Brown

“Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.”

Brene Brown 

It was not by mistake that you were writing your final chapter about choosing Joy amongst the darkness in your life. It also wasn’t by mistake you were reading the Gifts of Imperfection, a book you were so excited to experience. Nothing in life is a mistake, as long as we turn it into light, to shine brightly, to support others caught in the darkness of their circumstances. 

You saw people, you heard people, that was your super power here on earth. You took your pain and turned in into power. With every hurt, you turned it into heroic acts to heal others. I saw you back my friend, and heard you too. In between your smiles, I saw at times how tired you were trying to be everything for everyone. Some of our conversations became a safe space for both of us to just be, without an agenda or need to be something for each other. 

You graduated just as you spoke often as you would once you made your mark on this existence. As you put it in my dream the other night, you ascended. 

I promise to get the book known around the world, along with the one we co-authored with 20 others. They both contain your truth and many women need to find theirs, hiding between your words. Though I rather have spread the mission WITH YOU physically, nothing can separate the connection we have spiritually.

Tharifa, enjoy whatever eternity has in store for you my friend. 💜 🤙