Traces of Sana, Threads of Purpose

As I scroll through my phone book and social media, I notice something that catches me off guard—almost every name holds some connection to Sana. Whether it was someone we met at a social gathering, a colleague from work, or just a distant friend, her presence is interwoven into every thread of my life. I never realized how deeply she had embedded herself into my world. Now, even the simplest act—reaching out to someone—feels loaded. It feels like they carry memories I’m not always ready to face. I’ve always been someone who stays connected, who checks in on people. But lately, I’ve withdrawn. Maybe because each name brings back her voice, her laughter, her absence. Still, I’m trying to channel my grief into something meaningful. I’ve been reflecting on how to help others, not just to support them, but to validate my own existence. To find purpose in something that mattered to Sana. A while ago, I wrote about a young girl in New York—let’s call her Mary—who is going through serious mental health challenges. We connected through one of Maahir’s friends, and since then, I’ve formed a bond with her and her family. There’s something about her that reminds me of Sana. Her vulnerability, her strength. Her voice last week stayed with me—it was filled with resilience, even in her pain. Some advised me not to get involved, not now, not when I’m still grieving. But I can’t help it. I feel this pull, as if Sana is whispering, “Mom, you have to help her.” Ironically, the same mental health resources in New York that I had once researched for Sana—I’ve now passed on to Mary, hoping she will find comfort and support in them. I’ve even connected her to a dear friend in New Jersey, who kindly offered her a place to stay for a few days if needed. And in all of this, I find a strange kind of peace. A sense of purpose. A feeling that maybe my path now is to be a quiet support for those who need it most. Grief breaks us apart. But sometimes, it also breaks us open. And when it does, maybe we can let the light in by reaching for others in the dark.