Bidding Farewell to 2024: A Year of Loss and Reflection

Bidding Farewell to 2024: A Year of Loss and Reflection As we approach the end of 2024, I find myself reflecting on a year marked by profound loss. Last New Year’s Eve feels like a lifetime ago. We celebrated in Chicago with Maahir and Serena, filled with laughter and warmth. Sana was in Italy, soaking in the joy of her holiday adventures. We exchanged wishes for happiness and good health, blissfully unaware of what the year ahead would bring. This year, my plans are more subdued. I will spend New Year’s Eve with my mother and a few close friends. It feels fitting to be with those who bring comfort and stability in a time of emotional upheaval. I don’t feel the need to send out wishes or greetings this time. For me, it feels hollow, as if the ritual has lost its meaning in the face of such deep grief. But even in this haze of sorrow, life moves forward in small, significant ways. Maahir and Serena’s engagement is a bright spot on the horizon, and I’ve thrown myself into planning their party. I’ve been choosing outfits, buying little knickknacks, and focusing on the details that will make their celebration special. As much as we miss Sana, I know we must also celebrate Maahir and the milestones in his life. Love and loss coexist, and while our hearts ache for Sana, they also swell with pride and joy for Maahir. Idris, too, is navigating his own path through this season. He plans to go to Singapore, where Sana’s friends have organized a vigil in her memory. It’s a beautiful gesture, a testament to the love and impact she left behind. He will be there in time to honor her, surrounded by the people who held her dear. For us, New Year’s Eve will never be the same. It’s not just this year—it’s every year to come. Life, as we knew it, has changed irrevocably. We are learning to carry the weight of this loss while finding moments of light to keep us going. 2024 may have been a year of heartbreak, but it has also reminded me of the strength of family, the kindness of friends, and the enduring love that connects us all. As the clock strikes midnight, I won’t be wishing for a better year. Instead, I will simply hope for grace—to navigate each day with courage, to celebrate the joys that remain, and to honor the memory of the daughter who will forever hold a piece of my heart.