Making preparations for the interment of his ashes that would take place two days after his birthday — on the one year anniversary of his death — she was having a particularly difficult day. It was the first time in 39 years she did not celebrate his birthday with him.
She was talking to him, telling him about the interment plans. Then when she looked at her phone she had his photo!
Just before the closing prayer, she would share these powerful words by the poet, Naomi Shihab Nye. They encapsulate her experience of losing him.
People do not
pass away.
They die
and then,
they stay.
Note: Naomi Shihab Nye is an Arab American poet, editor, songwriter, and novelist. Born to a Palestinian father and an American mother, she began composing her first poetry at the age of six. In total, she has published or contributed to over 30 volumes of poetry.