When she was little, I was a few years older. She used to come to my family home with her mother and sister, and she always loved playing a game called “the dark room.” We had so much fun, even though I was older than her.
Later, during our youth, we became friends… and we remained friends forever.
What I remember most about her is her vitality, her joy, her passion for art, her beauty —both physical and spiritual—, her wisdom, and her ability to see the good in everything and everyone. Her purity of intention, and the pure way she interpreted everything that happened in her life.
We also shared our spiritual path, which created a very special bond, both with her and with her sister.
Then, well, life led us to live far from each other. But every time we reunited, it brought great joy. And after some years, when she moved to Spain, we had the chance to be together again — in the town where she lived with her family and in other places too, walking and talking.
We always had a strong connection and could talk for hours and hours.
I think Hoda had a deep sensitivity toward both the physical and spiritual world. She was deeply moved by the suffering of those around her, and also by the suffering of the world in general.
But she always had an optimistic outlook.
I also knew her as a mother. I believe she was a very happy and very responsible mother. She was overjoyed when she became a mother, and she was incredibly dedicated to her little son.
I could see with my own eyes the immense love she had for him. And I could feel it too.
The mark she left on those of us who were close to her was her joy — her joy for life, no matter what she was going through, whether good or bad, as happens to all of us.
She always had a smile on her face. She always had words of encouragement, wise advice, the words of a true friend. She was always cheerful.
She always had energy for anything — whatever you suggested, she was up for it: going for a walk, sitting down to chat, whatever it was.
I think she went through many trials in life, but even so, she was able to fulfill many of her dreams. Maybe not all — I don’t know — but I believe she managed to build a family, to marry the man she loved, to have a child, and to raise him, even if it was only for the early years of his life.
It was very sad to learn about her illness. I had little contact with her during the last years of her life, including during her illness.
But I always remembered her with great affection, and that’s how I will always remember her: with that smile, with those bright eyes, with that beauty she carried.
As for my anecdote… well, it was a trip I took to Spain that I shared with her. I had a wonderful time during many moments of that trip, and thanks to her, it became something very special for me. It filled me with memories.