WE fear death because it asks us to face what we cannot control – and because, when it comes, we are rarely ready to let go.
Yet even in the fear, courage can still find a voice.
Sometimes, it speaks through the choices we leave behind.
Shalom has shown us just that.
Faced with a battle no child should have had to endure, Shalom could not choose the length of her journey.
But she could choose how she wished to be remembered.
In her own handwriting, she left letters.
Tender, brave letters with specific instructions for her final farewell – how she wanted to be honoured, who she wanted remembered, and even the colours that should frame her goodbye: purple and white.
It was her last gift of love.
A way to guide her family in their darkest, heaviest moment.
At Nyaradzo, we have always believed that faced with whichever circumstances, we must first accept the situation we are in.
If the sequence of our situation started with denial, acceptance is a big step forward. Once in acceptance mode, another element of life becomes possible, planning. When we plan for whatever it is we choose to do, success follows.
As sure as night follows day, celebration will follow.
Acceptance allows us to remove a heavy burden on shoulders and makes it possible for us to plan.
Planning allows us to honour a life as it was lived, when the plans succeed we celebrate.
From our perspective, death is so monstrous and final.
To lighten the burden we built infrastructure and acquired collateral artifacts that help surround the beast of death with do much beauty. While death can feel overwhelming, compassion, dignity and thoughtful preparation allow us to face it together, with grace.
Shalom has brought these values to life in the most profound way.
She did not choose to leave so soon, but she chose what she could influence – and she did so with astonishing grace.
As her Sahwira Mukuru, we have received her letters, which resonate so much with our beauty and the beast model.
We have read them.
And we will do just that – carry out her wishes, exactly as she thoughtfully left them; from the purple and white that will frame her farewell, to every detail she has entrusted to us.
Not because it makes death less painful.
But because her life deserves to be honoured with care, dignity and faithfulness to her own voice.
Shalom, you were a child, an angel whose journey ended far too soon.
We will walk this final stretch with you and your family, faithful to the farewell you envisioned.
May the purple speak of a life so deeply cherished.
May the white speak of the peace we wish for you.
And may your farewell reflect the love with which you lived.
Fly high, dear Shalom. Even in the face of the beast, you chose to surround it with so much beauty.
We will honour and celebrate your choices. – Agency
