A year ago today, on a late afternoon in November, our beloved Shahdi took her last breath in solitude. The only living being present, who unwillingly witnessed this colossal tragedy was Toby, and most unfortunately, he does not speak our language and we do not understand his. Ironically, Shahdi was Toby’s original benefactor, the one who petitioned us to adopt him as a member of our family. This year has been a tumultuous emotional journey for us, and many of you, who were close to Shahdi and loved her as we did.
Today, on the first anniversary of Shahdi’s passing, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who have supported us, comforted our anguished souls, and lifted our spirit as we have traveled for the past three hundred and sixty five days on the unfamiliar, dark, agonizing, and bumpy road of monumental grief. Without your feedback (i.e. - comments, messages, emails, visits, and calls), my personal journey would have been much more arduous and lonely. Even though you could not literally hold my hand to keep me steady while facing the obstacles, but you figuratively accompanied my soul and cheered me along the way so that I could make it to the one-year mark, still standing. I thank all of your loving and compassionate souls from the bottom of my heart.
I know many of my posts have been rather depressing, filled with sorrow and longing. Please forgive me for having made you teary-eyed with my words from time to time. I am grateful to you for listening and sharing our grief with us, instead of abandoning us. I wholeheartedly thank all who have reached out to me over the past year to show me you care, to tell me you acknowledge my pain, and to offer your love and support. I am also grateful to all who shared their memories of our beloved Shahdi.
With her unexpected departure, Shahdi inadvertently made me reevaluate my life and priorities for my remaining years. She also made me realize that life is beautiful, not solely because of the abundant beauties in nature and the material world, but mainly because of the abundance of beauty in the human spirit: love, compassion, sympathy, empathy, joy, friendship, companionship, etc.
All of you on Shahdi’s Memorial Page are the manifestation of this beauty. I am honored to have shared my grief journey with you in the last twelve months. Thank you for caring about our dear Shahdi and for not forgetting our kind and loving girl. Shahdi was a truly special young lady, a very unique individual, and deserves to be remembered by those whose hearts were touched by her. Shahdi was truly every parent's dream child.
I simply hope that by sharing my feelings, you all have a better understanding of the devastating and lifelong effects of suicide on the loved ones left behind. I hope you all acknowledge that life is a challenge, at best a pleasant experience, which is worth living, no matter how many obstacles are placed on one’s path. If there were no challenges, life would have become boring and dull. I sincerely hope that life spares you all from experiencing the ultimate dark challenge which we had to face. I hope you will have a happy life void of any tragedies.
I truly believe that materialism will not bring lasting happiness and fulfillment, but love, friendship, kindness and hard work will. I wish you all health, above all, followed by love and friendship. With these three elements, while working hard towards your dreams, you will not need anything else to be able to live a happy life and find the desirable paradise on Earth.
And, once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Love you all, Setareh
Today, on the first anniversary of Shahdi’s passing, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who have supported us, comforted our anguished souls, and lifted our spirit as we have traveled for the past three hundred and sixty five days on the unfamiliar, dark, agonizing, and bumpy road of monumental grief. Without your feedback (i.e. - comments, messages, emails, visits, and calls), my personal journey would have been much more arduous and lonely. Even though you could not literally hold my hand to keep me steady while facing the obstacles, but you figuratively accompanied my soul and cheered me along the way so that I could make it to the one-year mark, still standing. I thank all of your loving and compassionate souls from the bottom of my heart.
I know many of my posts have been rather depressing, filled with sorrow and longing. Please forgive me for having made you teary-eyed with my words from time to time. I am grateful to you for listening and sharing our grief with us, instead of abandoning us. I wholeheartedly thank all who have reached out to me over the past year to show me you care, to tell me you acknowledge my pain, and to offer your love and support. I am also grateful to all who shared their memories of our beloved Shahdi.
With her unexpected departure, Shahdi inadvertently made me reevaluate my life and priorities for my remaining years. She also made me realize that life is beautiful, not solely because of the abundant beauties in nature and the material world, but mainly because of the abundance of beauty in the human spirit: love, compassion, sympathy, empathy, joy, friendship, companionship, etc.
All of you on Shahdi’s Memorial Page are the manifestation of this beauty. I am honored to have shared my grief journey with you in the last twelve months. Thank you for caring about our dear Shahdi and for not forgetting our kind and loving girl. Shahdi was a truly special young lady, a very unique individual, and deserves to be remembered by those whose hearts were touched by her. Shahdi was truly every parent's dream child.
I simply hope that by sharing my feelings, you all have a better understanding of the devastating and lifelong effects of suicide on the loved ones left behind. I hope you all acknowledge that life is a challenge, at best a pleasant experience, which is worth living, no matter how many obstacles are placed on one’s path. If there were no challenges, life would have become boring and dull. I sincerely hope that life spares you all from experiencing the ultimate dark challenge which we had to face. I hope you will have a happy life void of any tragedies.
I truly believe that materialism will not bring lasting happiness and fulfillment, but love, friendship, kindness and hard work will. I wish you all health, above all, followed by love and friendship. With these three elements, while working hard towards your dreams, you will not need anything else to be able to live a happy life and find the desirable paradise on Earth.
And, once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Love you all, Setareh
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