I met Hodá Mey in Banyoles, on a Saturday morning of a long-past summer. I had been told about her and her husband briefly — that they had recently arrived from Argentina and were a lovely young couple expecting their first baby.
I spent 48 hours with them studying Book 8.1 of the Ruhi Institute, together with Emili, Silia, and Manel. I was enchanted by her sweetness, freshness, and kindness — qualities that her husband Marcos also radiated.
Wow! They already knew about the Faith, but they were humble and eager to learn.
Another thing I learned from her was to always consult the guidance from the Universal House of Justice: she carried with her a file folder where she kept all the messages she had received from the House, and she would consult them whenever questions came up during our study. (That inspired me to request the Message books from the Publishing Trust.)
She was seated in front of me. She never lost her smile. It felt so good to be near both of them. Marcos taught me a prayer in Guaraní. I still have it saved on the last page of my book. It’s a treasure for me — it’s the prayer for difficulties!
We went for a swim to relax, and it was so funny how she swam — hahahaha! She swam sideways so as not to get tired. I think she didn’t know how to swim very well, but she enjoyed it. She had a great time. Her movements were funny, light, playful…
Something magical happened, and through WhatsApp, I received a new title: I was already a mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, little nurse, and Bahá’í… but now, Hodá called me “Soul Friend.” I cried! She never knew.
We met again in Girona for the next Ruhi book. She and Marquitos were the tutors. We studied the different names of God. I still keep a beautiful little box at home that we decorated with colored papers to store inside a treasure we didn’t yet know. Finally, they gave it to us: a bundle of prayers tied with a golden string. I’ve given some away when needed. I still have a few. One of them will be for Drazen. The love and gentleness with which she gave them to us was moving.
In that same study circle, we also illuminated the name of Bahá’u’lláh. It still hangs in my room.
A later study took place at her home in Girona. She wasn’t there — she was serving at the Institute. She arrived that Sunday afternoon, before we left. I have the moment etched in my mind. She was so excited to see her husband! She adored him. Both were delicate and discreet in how they expressed their love: a look straight to the heart, lightly blushed cheeks, a soft hug — like one you’d give a friend — only their eyes said everything from the soul…
She ran behind the car as we were leaving; I was laughing so hard. If the car stopped, she stopped. If the car started again, she’d run after us, waving her hand in the air with a big smile, walking with us that tiny part of the road. Hahaha… I still see her in my memories. Hahaha!
Another anecdote: her personal “anti-nausea” trick… Her little body didn’t tolerate car rides very well and she would get motion sickness. In one hand, she held a small pile of kitchen salt, and with the other, she’d bring some to her mouth. (My conclusion was that she was raising her blood pressure to fight the nausea, haha…). It was a recipe from her beloved mother.
From one Ruhi to another, here we go again: a new book at the Bahá’í Center in Barcelona — this time Book 10.1. Ohhh! Finally, Hodá and Marcos had been blessed with a beautiful seed growing in her womb. His name would be Drazen… She told me it was of Polish origin. I had a hard time remembering it… but she loved it.
I couldn’t find parking, so every time half an hour passed, I had to buy something at the big store across from the Bahá’í Center to avoid getting a ticket. The beneficiary would be Drazen: a bottle, some diapers…
And she became a mother, and I, due to family circumstances, could not hold the little one in my arms — but I would follow him in photos, and feel her love through WhatsApp messages from “the Soul Friend”… And I would hear news from Marcos, with whom I reconnected during another study group in COVID times. Despite their son already being three, the invisible emotional bond with his mother continued to grow — she nursed him with love and tenderness.
And one day, she was taken from us. And I didn’t know anything. And I was so close…
It can’t be true! I tried to understand. We need her! She is a pillar of the Faith. Her service is indispensable!
And Marcos? And Drazen? Why?
And I began to build a response that brought balm to my heart: of course — she was so “pure” that she could now serve from the other side. She was called. She’s there, interceding for her great loves — her Marcos and her little one — who are being prepared for an important mission, through such a great test, training their souls and hearts…
If I don’t see it this way, it hurts too much.
I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t stop it. The tears flowed uncontrollably.
But I felt her so close, smiling, at peace, knowing she continues building a better world, guiding us to serve, to fulfill our path.
Thank you, Soul Friend. Pray for us and our families.