I remember very well the first day I met Hoda. I had just moved to Banyoles, on January 1st, 2015. The next day, January 2nd, my neighbor Carme knocked on my door and invited me down for breakfast with some friends she had over. Among those friends was Hoda, who immediately caught my attention with her sincere smile, her warm and kind nature, and a special radiance that made me feel instantly comfortable and welcomed. Her gaze reflected the warmth and love of her great heart.
That same day, after breakfast, we went for a walk around Lake Banyoles. We spent nearly the whole walk talking, as if we were old friends who had known each other forever. Her open, kind, fun, and empathetic personality captivated me. She radiated great sincerity and humility. She had a witty sense of humor and a contagious charm. We talked about many things — with her, you could talk about anything because she was intelligent, open-minded, and insightful.
That day we shared experiences and connected on a spiritual level I hadn’t remembered sharing with anyone before. Hoda was very spiritual and had deep faith. The aura of peace that surrounded her came from that trust in God, which gave her trust in life — and, through that, in people. She radiated love for humanity and a deep empathy for all beings. Hoda’s magnetism made you want to be close to her, and her vibrancy and understanding made you want to talk and share with her for hours.
After that day, we formed a deep friendship that kept growing stronger. That same year, I began attending beautiful classes with her and her husband, Marcos, where they guided me in values and spirituality. Hoda had a way of teaching and sharing that was simple, clear, and deeply meaningful at the same time. Along with love, she had a heart overflowing with generosity and respect for others. You could see in her the passion and dedication she gave to helping make the world a better place. She spoke and acted from the heart — purely and truthfully, without judgment or criticism.
I have many memories of Hoda, and all of them are beautiful and full of joy. In her apartment in Girona, we shared reflections, laughter, birthday celebrations with our group, and moments of devotion and faith. I fondly remember a birthday party I celebrated with her, Marcos, and her sister Neda in Malgrat. I still keep the little birthday flag she made for my cake. Everything she did, she did with love.
I also discovered that she was a great artist — a designer, painter, and incredibly creative. She made her life a work of art and shared it humbly. She showed deep sensitivity not only in her creative and artistic side, but also spiritually and emotionally. She was a brilliant person in every sense, and she had a radiant inner beauty that shone through to the outside.
She lived her marriage in harmony with her deepest values, and soon that same spirit would extend to Drazen, who was born two years later — to the great joy of both of them and all of us who loved her.
Life circumstances led Hoda and her family to move to Sabadell, and I felt it deeply, knowing how much I would miss her. Though I knew love and friendship endure, physical distance kept us from sharing new experiences or enjoying each other’s company. For a while, we called each other and shared biblical audio messages. Hearing her voice was always a joy to me. But little by little, the rhythm of life made those calls and audios less frequent. For years we didn’t see each other or stay in touch, yet she had left an indelible mark on my heart. Every time I remember her, I’m filled with a deep sense of love and friendship, along with immense admiration and reverence for the beautiful soul she was and everything she gave to the world.