DREAMS: connected souls

This week has been especially hard since Sana’s friends left. These girls were an integral part of our lives—either they were at our home, or Sana was at theirs. The absence of their chatter makes the house feel even quieter, and with it, the weight of missing Sana grows heavier every day. Today, I find myself reflecting more on faith and spirituality. I truly believe that souls stay connected to the people they love, even after they leave this world. Sana has been reaching out to all of us, whether through dreams or small signs. As much as I still question why this happened to her, I’ve come to believe that opportunities are given for her soul to communicate with us. Her friends have had dreams of her, saying they felt so real, like she was truly present with them. Idris dreams of her often, and it’s been incredibly difficult for him, but I believe it’s Sana’s way of communicating with him, reassuring him in his grief. A few days ago, I had a dream of Sana myself. For a long time, I imagined I would eventually start a school, and that one day, Sana would take over. Since her passing, I’ve lost the motivation for that dream. But in this dream, I had created a mental health space, centered around the simple but powerful premise: I am listening. I had named it “SANA,” using the acronym from this very blog, and in the dream, Sana came in as a client. She told me how happy she was that I had started this initiative. The entire dream was about Sana encouraging me to do something meaningful in her honor. It felt so real that when I woke up, I knew I had to explore this idea further. This blog began as a way to validate Sana, and honestly, I feel like she guides me in my writing. I am not a natural writer, but it’s as though Sana is telling me what to say. Every few days, I have a new idea, and I just write without overthinking it. Her voice is with me, helping me put my thoughts into words. I am also overwhelmed by the support we’ve received for the NAMI fund in Sana’s name. So many people have contributed, and I’m deeply grateful. But I still feel like I need to do more. I’m now exploring the possibility of becoming a mental health coach, an area so close to Sana’s heart. I want to support people who simply want to be heard. Listening is a skill that seems forgotten in today’s world, yet it’s something people suffering from loneliness, anxiety, and depression need the most. All they want is to feel heard, and I hope I can fulfill that role, honoring Sana’s legacy in the process. This dream, this calling—it feels like Sana is encouraging me to create a space where others can feel supported, just as she would have. And in doing so, maybe I can find healing too.