Most of you don’t know me but Nada and I have been life long friends. We were born 2 weeks apart and were neighbours and friends until my parents decided to bring me to Canada at the age of two.
She and I remained friends – meeting up virtually every summer vacation and spending those summer months hanging out together in her back yard, eating her mom’s famous apple strudel and even going to school together in Grades 2 and Grade 5 in Croatia. Those memories will stay with me forever.
When Nada told me that she was immigrating to Canada I was the happiest person on earth – I thought this is great – I’ll get to hang out with my best friend all the time. I had it all planned out.
But then something happened. She came here and she and I drifted apart. Life took us into different directions and we never managed to reconnect. I thought about reaching out and calling her but then I thought – I’ll do it tomorrow or maybe next week – one day. Well too bad for both of us – that one day will no longer come. Not here on earth anyway.
We sometimes take life for granted and think we have all the time in the world to resolve issues with friends and family. We rarely think that our lives can be cut short in an instant and that we won’t get the chance anymore to say sorry to our loved ones.
I am grateful that I got to see her one more time but I wish so much that it was under different circumstances and not to say goodbye.
I recently came across this poem and I would like to share it with you all. It reminds me of Nada.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush –
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night –
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Even though she is no longer with us physically she lives on in Maja and Luka and in all our hearts for always.
Rest in Peace Nada.
Your friend, Diana.
