A Celebration of Life: Honoring the Imprints on Our Hearts

A decade ago, a phone call from 4,465 miles away changed my life in a heartbeat. We grow up understanding the "Law of Nature" - that we will lose our beloved earlier generations. Yet, this simple thought fails to capture the emotional toll of losing a piece of your heart, regardless of age. Distance adds an understated variable to the already challenging task of deciphering the unfamiliar language of loss.

As my husband's phone rang with my cousin's name on the caller ID, an indescribable emptiness and overwhelming anxiety invaded me. In that instant, I truly understood the weight of the word "never."

My mother was, and will always be, my hero. She was my constant presence, my comfort, the spark of my creativity, my biggest fan and believer. I owe her more than my life. She remains my inspiration to stay curious, to grow, to embrace life as it is, and to stay grounded in reality.

Growing up, I'd boast to friends about my mom's worldliness and knowledge. I joked that Google Maps must have been inspired by her - she could guide me to landmarks from our neighborhood to Santorini, Greece. This might sound commonplace now, but imagine 30-plus years ago when our GPS was printed on oversized, outdated paper.

In retirement, she and my dad traversed the globe. The Orient Express was a highlight, fulfilling her Agatha Christie-inspired dreams. From China to the Emirates and beyond, she stepped on nearly every continent (Oceania remained on her bucket list).

2014 at the Naples Pier

Naples, Florida, one of her favorite places, now holds a special place in my heart. I recently honored her there, celebrating her life by the ocean, becoming one with nature - a nod to the sustainability she introduced me to 50 years ago.

A decade later, the hole in my heart remains, but it's now filled with memories of laughter, joy, learning, and peace. Faith plays an intriguing role in moving forward, as my mom has become my personal angel.

Grief is a unique journey for each of us. Some find solace in celebrating life, while others might view it as unconventional. But it's in these personal approaches that legacies begin. I choose to remember my mother with a smile, celebrating her as she was - always shining bright.

In honoring those who have left an imprint on our hearts, we find a beautiful paradox: in celebrating their lives, we breathe new life into our own. It's a testament to the enduring power of love and memory, reminding us that those we've lost are never truly gone. They live on in the stories we tell, the lessons we've learned, and the love we continue to share.

So, let us celebrate. Let us laugh, cry, and remember. For in doing so, we not only honor those who have shaped us but also inspire others to live lives worth celebrating. After all, isn't that the greatest legacy we can leave behind?

-Karina