Missing Ankur

Today would have been Ankur's 26th birthday.
As I have been sorting through my pictures, I realize that most of them involve him with food! :)
He definitely loved to eat!
And so I'll have to make it a point to remember him and eat out in a big way.

I've had my ups and downs these past few weeks.
Through people, I have discovered more and more what made Ankur so amazing. And I feel so incredibly blessed to have had him in my life.

Still- the grief I have felt over this time has been the most intense as I have ever gone through in life. Not a day goes by without thoughts of Ankur. I miss him so intensely.

I have learned a lot as well.
At first I really questioned how this family who has stood by everyone and been such support in our community could have had this happen to them. I wondered how someone who has lived with such honesty and integrity could have faced such a terrible incident. What kind of karma is this?

And yet I watch as hundreds of people write about Ankur... even to this day.
There hasn't been a single day that the Dube family has been alone.
There has been a flood of support- people flying from all corners of the world to be with them.
And while that doesn't replace the loss- clearly all their good deeds are coming forth through this shared grief.

Here I am, still thinking of him, writing of him. If he hadn't touched me so deeply- I wouldn't be missing him right now.

Happy Birthday Ankur!