This week a former colleague of mine, Jennifer, died. She died in her sleep. Since she was waiting for a kidney transplant, I am assuming her death had something to do with the condition of her kidneys, but I don't know the details. She and her husband were (are) expecting a baby boy, via surrogate, in August. Now her son will grow up without knowing his mother.
Jennifer was a very sunny person. She radiated good cheer, even when she worked long hours in an often aggravating bureaucracy. I didn't know her outside of work. If I had stayed in New York perhaps I would have gotten to know her better and met her husband. As it is, I can only remember the fleeting images of meetings together. She had a distinctive voice and smile.
When I walked by wild roses today, I smelled them for her. When I saw wren perched on a bush, I listened to its song for her. When I sit here, another Thursday morning, fretting about my next steps and what work I ought to be doing, I remind myself, "Don't fret. You are still here to smell the roses and listen to the wren. Do those things with gratitude, and that is enough." Thank you, Jennifer.
