Death, they say, arrives in threes. Call it superstition if you will, but it certainly felt true for me as I bid farewell to three significant women in my life, one after the other, with mere months between each loss.
Though not bound by blood, these women were family to me.
First among them was Esther, a dear friend and mentor who departed in July. Esther cultivated in me a deep appreciation for classic cinema, introducing me to the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and the iconic figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She guided me through a treasure trove of timeless films, instilling within me a love for the silver screen that endures to this day.
Beyond movies, Esther was a stickler for proper grammar and even attempted to teach me French, despite my struggles with language learning. But it wasn’t her lessons in culture and language that lingered most in my memory. Rather, it was a simple moment in her dining room, when she uttered the words “I love you” with such sincerity that it moved me to tears. Though I never found the chance to reciprocate before her passing, her affection remains etched in my heart.
Following Esther’s departure, I mourned the loss of Madeleine. I received the news of her passing while disembarking a plane at LaGuardia airport, a message from her daughter delivering the somber tidings. Madeleine, with her steadfast routines and wise aphorisms, taught me to cherish life’s simple pleasures and to approach each day with prudence and gratitude.
Her unwavering presence in my life was underscored by her meticulous observance of my birthday, never failing to mark the occasion with a slice of cake and a heartfelt celebration. Even in her final moments, amidst the confines of a hospital, she found the clarity to express her love, a sentiment I shall forever hold dear.
The final blow came with the news of Juneh’s sudden illness, relayed to me through social media. A colleague and dear friend, Juneh was more than a coworker; she was an older sister figure with whom I shared a bond of frank honesty and mutual understanding. Our last meeting, at a robotics convention in Philly, now serves as a poignant memory of our final embrace, a moment imbued with nostalgia and the painful awareness of impending loss.
As I bid farewell to 2023, my heart heavy with grief, I find solace in the memories of these remarkable women and the invaluable lessons they imparted. Though they may be gone, their love and wisdom endure, guiding me through the tumultuous journey of grief and reminding me of the enduring bonds of family, forged not by blood, but by love.
