Honoring Memories: A Story of Friendship

In this moment, I find myself reflecting on the loss of my dear friend, Eric L. Bennett, whose life was tragically taken on that fateful day, September 11th, 2001, in the World Trade Center attacks. Eric and I crossed paths in 1999, just as I had embarked on my journey fresh out of college. His kindness was a guiding light, a warmth that radiated without any hidden agenda. I can still vividly recall his infectious smile and his heart full of boundless joy and compassion.

Now, as we mark the passing of 22 years since that tragic event, the ache of missing my friend remains. However, I choose to honor his memory by cherishing the beautiful days we spent together and the laughter that always seemed to envelop us.

Today, I'd like to share a story from Osho, an Indian philosopher and mystic, which I hope will offer solace to those carrying their own burdens of grief and pain. May it bring you some measure of comfort, reminding us all that even in the darkest moments, there is a glimmer of light to be found.

The story goes that Hassein had a very beautiful son, a very intelligent and talented boy. Everybody loved the boy, but one day he suddenly died. He was just twenty and almost the whole town was in love with the boy.

When Hassein saw the corpse of his son, he did not cry. Not even a single tear came to his eyes. Rather, he started laughing. People could not believe it. They asked him, "What has happened?"

Hassein said, "Why should I cry? My son has not died. He has only changed his clothes. He has moved from one room to another. He has gone on a journey. Why should I be sad?"

The people were puzzled. They could not understand how Hassein could be so calm and even happy when his son had just died.

Osho explains that Hassein's laughter was not a sign of callousness or indifference. It was a sign of his understanding of the nature of life and death. He knew that death is not the end, but only a transition. He knew that his son was still alive, even though his body was no longer with him.

Osho says that the hardest grief is the grief that we feel when we lose someone who we love very much. But he also says that this grief is necessary. It is the way that we let go of the past and move on to the future.

He says, "Grief is a process of healing. It is a way of integrating the loss into our lives. It is a way of saying goodbye to the past and hello to the future."

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, Osho encourages you to allow yourself to feel your grief. Do not try to suppress it or deny it. Let it flow through you. And know that it is a natural and necessary part of the healing process.

He also says that it is important to find ways to express your grief. This could be through writing, talking to a friend or therapist, or through creative expression such as art or music.

Grief is a difficult experience, but it is also an opportunity for growth and transformation. By allowing yourself to feel your grief and by finding ways to express it, you can begin to heal and move on with your life.