I don’t have a clear and vivid memory of how I met Hoda and Marcos, not even who I met first. I remember it was through the Summer School Committee in Llíria (Bahá’í Educational Center in Llíria, Valencia), but it’s all a bit blurry. Yes, I was on the Committee with both of them, and I think that’s where I met them. It wasn’t much later that I actually started spending real time with them.
One thing I can say for sure is that when you wanted something done —because you know how we’re always looking for people to help with service— if you wanted it done, Hoda would do it. There wasn’t a single service task you asked her to do that she wouldn’t. That’s why sometimes we’d try asking other people first. When she did something, she did it really well. She wanted it to be excellent, and she took her time. I remember lots of consultations to really understand what we wanted to do, and then, of course, she was always there, fully present. I remember the workshops, the cool ideas we had, like the musical café…
I also remember the summer in Peñíscola, when we went as the Committee, and we were preparing part of the School. We took photos—photos of our feet in different settings: a circle of feet on the sand, another on the grass, another on top of some towels… I don’t know if that idea was hers, but it totally seemed like something she’d come up with.
I think I connected easily with Hoda from the beginning, but it was with both —Hoda and Marcos— that they truly became part of my life, with intensity and a lot of love. Hoda was so loving, so gentle, treated everyone with great respect. She chose her words carefully, was very thoughtful…
I also remember when she was having a hard time because they still didn’t have Drazen. I remember her saying she was already in her late thirties and hadn’t gotten pregnant. It was hard for her at that time. So I remember perfectly the moment she did get pregnant… Imagine—the joy, the excitement. It was incredible.
I remember finding out about the pregnancy in Llíria, too. We were sitting in a circle, I looked at her and thought: “She’s pregnant.” I don’t know why, but she radiated it. You could feel it. The happiness she gave off, or something like that. For her, that was the most important thing in her life. That feeling… how deeply she felt she was going to have him.
I also remember visiting you in Blanes, with Álex, and going for a walk. She was pregnant, with her little belly. We used to gather in Blanes too, and I remember how she handled everything: making sure everyone was okay, renting an apartment so people could stay overnight, having food ready at your place… She was like that with everything: always thinking of others, doing everything with care. I remember her as a very attentive person, very aware of what she said, very clear-minded.
I remember once in Peñíscola, when the three of you came with Drazen, and I saw something I didn’t agree with regarding how she handled something with him. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but I know I said something to her about it. And when I brought it up a second time, she answered firmly: no. That it was the way she did things. That she didn’t agree with what I was saying, and that there was no need to bring it up again. I remember thinking: “Of course, it’s different now. When your child is involved, you’re no longer just you. You can’t tolerate certain things anymore. When your child is part of the equation, things change. Your stronger side comes out.” And I told myself: “Jessica, don’t say anything else. Don’t get involved where you shouldn’t.”
Later, she was on the Regional Institute Board. I remember speaking to her to invite her to join. She had a lot of experience from the National Board. She had doubts, thought maybe she shouldn’t take it on—but she did anyway. Like I said earlier, there were very few things she’d say no to. She accepted, and I remember how thorough she was. She’d prepare the agenda, the topics, find quotes, include everything. She prepared every meeting with care. She dedicated hours. And then everything went really well.
I also remember how much she loved Marcos. One of his birthdays in Zaragoza—we made him a cake. She looked up how to decorate it, and I thought: “Wow, such talent.” And of course, that’s when you remembered she was an artist. Because when she did things, she seemed like a regular person —like all of us— but then she made everything look beautiful.