Over 20 years ago, Mana and I went skiing together, now we had done it a couple of times but none of us were really good at it. It was close to the end hours of the ski slope and we wanted to give it one last go. I headed down, fast as I could and being as clumsy as I am, I ended up head down in the snow, up to my waist, legs up in the air, quite a scene! I was helpless, really couldn’t dig myself out and was waiting for my best friend to come to my rescue. Anyone who knows me would tell you that I lose my temper when something like this happens, but not this time! Stuck and desperate as I was, I burst into laughing, and only for one reason, because my BFF, Mana, instead of helping me out was rolling on the floor laughing, so loudly that the sound filled the whole mountain. Her laugh made me laugh, still upside down, head down a pit of snow, we spent a long time laughing and she finally decided to drag me out.

That’s the type of person that she was, in your worst moments, her laugh alone, even a little smile of hers, could light up your world.

Her energy was beyond belief, she would walk into a room and you could feel the vibration emanating all around her.

Her love for nature and the outdoors was exceptional. We spent most of our time as kids growing up, on our bikes, just riding around until eventually our mothers would get worried about us, the cops would try to arrest us and the boys we bullied wanted to kill us.

She had a great smile. I don’t think I need to tell you more about it, you see any photos of her you can witness what I’m talking about.

Her voice was soothing and rich. When she talked you wanted to listen. It was heavenly.

My biggest regret would be the last time she came back to Iran for a visit, during the outbreak. I did not get to see her due to social distancing and quarantine. She insisted on meeting up but I didn’t go… that’s my biggest regret. When she was at the airport flying back, she called me and sadly I missed her call. But she left me a voice message, in which she cursed off corona and told me that ‘next time’ we would definitely catch up. Now, I regret not seeing her even more.

Going over our conversations and messages over the years, I realized she has always been the one who initiated them, she was the one organizing when and where to meet, planned for everything we did together, and I am thankful for that. Because of this trait of hers we stayed best friends up until the end.

In retrospect, I wish I didn’t take her for granted. I suppose this happens when you’re best friends with someone for 30 years, but now I understand that’s a wrong assumption. Sometimes, it gets too late, too soon.

On her last birthday, my wish for her was to see her cutting her 90th birthday cake, with a 92-year-old me standing right beside her.

To her mother, Nasrin, I send my deepest condolences. I cannot even imagine the pain she’s going through, but I hope she knows that she still has a daughter in me when she needs one. For her dad, Farhad, I wish no more pain, this world is cruel and no father deserves to see his little angel depart. To her brother, Mazdak, who not only lost his sister, but also his best friend, I wish him strength and patience. Not only he has to deal with this great loss, but he also shoulders the burden of being the rock for his parents.

To Mana, rest in peace my love.