Cherishing the Moments We Have

Cherishing the Moments We Have Last year at this time, we were counting down the days to Thanksgiving, eager to spend the holiday together as a family in Chicago. Maahir and Serena had prepared their first-ever turkey, and we all gathered around to enjoy the warmth of that moment. Sana, as always, brought a glow to every gathering. I can still picture her laughing as she glided across the ice rink with Serena, clutching a hot chocolate in her gloved hands, her cheeks flushed with happiness. Thanksgiving was one of her favorite celebrations, and she loved every part of it—the traditions, the togetherness, the joy. November has always been a month of celebrations for us. From Idris’s birthday to Thanksgiving, and of course, the Black Friday shopping spree that Sana loved so much. But this year, that sense of excitement has vanished, replaced by a deep ache and a quiet, painful reality. The thought of facing these milestones without Sana feels overwhelming, like walking through a fog where each step is heavier than the last. I find myself moving robotically through routines, trying to stay afloat in a world that feels so changed. In the past, we might have taken these moments for granted, letting life’s little celebrations come and go, assuming they’d always be there. I remember last year when Idris had to leave for a business trip on Sana’s birthday. He said, “It’s just one birthday—we’ll celebrate properly next year.” But there was no next year, not for her. This loss has taught me, more deeply than I could have ever understood before, that no moment is promised. It’s so easy to put off joy, love, even appreciation, believing that there will always be time. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that every gathering, every hug, every celebration is precious. Celebrate now. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you today. Embrace each moment as if it could be the last, because sometimes, there is no “next time.” These moments, however small, are what linger in our memories—what remain when everything else fades.