A Night of Nostalgia and a Family Photo Without Sana

A Night of Nostalgia and a Family Photo Without Sana Last night, our home was filled with laughter and chatter as Maahir’s friends joined us for dinner. It was a warmth I hadn’t felt in some time, and I welcomed it, but nostalgia crept in with every joyful sound. It reminded me so much of the countless gatherings with Sana and her friends, how she’d fill the room with her own vibrant energy. In preparing dinner, I found myself instinctively making one of her favorite dishes, a comforting bowl of khow suey, without even consciously realizing why I’d chosen it. Maahir and Serena love it too, but it was Sana who had adored this meal, always savoring each spoonful. As we gathered around the table, I almost felt her presence in the room—a comforting yet bittersweet silhouette among us. Her laughter echoed in my mind, woven into the sounds of everyone around me. For a moment, it was as if she was right there, a part of this gathering, just as she had been so many times before. Today, we went for a family photo session, a special invitation that came from a friend. We all dressed in blue and white, a color scheme I’d suggested without realizing how deeply it was tied to a memory. The last time we had a family photo shoot with Sana was at a family reunion, and I have this cherished photo of her and me, both in blue jeans and white shirts. It wasn’t until I saw us all in those colors today that it hit me—this was how we’d last posed together, a family complete with her in it. The session was beautiful, with each of us—Idris, Maahir, Serena, and even Mia, our family pet—capturing new memories together. But as I looked around, there was an emptiness that lingered, a piece of our family missing. A family photo, without Sana in it, feels like it could never truly capture our family. Her absence is both present and distant, woven into every joyful moment and every smile, reminding us of what we hold close to our hearts. These moments bring joy and sadness in equal measure. As we move forward, I’m realizing that the presence of loved ones, the laughter, and even the memories tied to simple choices like a color or a favorite dish, are what keep us connected. In every shared experience, we carry her spirit, a quiet presence guiding us through each moment of both happiness and longing.