Eleven Months Without Her: Remembering Sana and Celebrating Mia

Today marks eleven months since Sana left us. It's so hard to believe that almost a full year has passed, when it still feels like yesterday. Last year around this time, her health had just begun to decline — a slow, agonizing unraveling we could never have prepared ourselves for. Each memory from those days is etched so vividly in my mind, as if I could reach out and touch them. And yet, time keeps moving, indifferent to the ache it leaves behind. Today is also Mia’s 11th birthday. Mia — Sana’s beloved furry companion. Two years ago, Sana had organized an unforgettable birthday party for her. She poured all her love and creativity into it, just like she did with everything she cared about. She invited her friends and their dogs, complete with goody bags, treats, decorations, and playful games. It wasn’t just a party; it was a heartfelt celebration of the bond she shared with Mia. Sana lived to celebrate moments, big and small. She had a gift for finding joy in life's everyday miracles — and she loved Mia with all her heart. They were inseparable. Sana would take Mia for long, leisurely walks, sometimes lasting two hours, exploring parks, quiet streets, and trails, lost in their own little world. Mia, in return, was deeply attached to Sana — she could sense her kindness, her patience, and the special love Sana had for animals and for life itself. Today, as we quietly celebrate Mia’s 11th birthday, there is a profound emptiness that hangs in the air. It feels so strange, so wrong, to be here without Sana orchestrating the laughter and festivities. I can’t help but imagine how excited she would have been today, making sure Mia wore a party hat, choosing just the right treats, laughing with that light in her eyes that only pure happiness brings. Instead, we celebrate in a quieter way — carrying Sana’s spirit with us. I like to believe that somewhere, somehow, she is still part of these moments, still sending her love to Mia, and to all of us. As I reflect on these 11 months without her, I realize that while time may blur the edges of memories, it can never diminish the love she left behind. Sana lived fully, loved deeply, and touched more lives than she ever realized — not just people’s, but every creature she met along the way. Today, we celebrate Mia, and through her, we honor Sana — her joy, her compassion, her endless love.