Tribute to Karim Manji

Dear Karim, It's been over 1 week since you left this earthly realm and I have been missing you so much, my sweet beautiful friend. I'm still in disbelief. I feel regret for not reaching out more to you when I came back for my recent UK visits. I treasure the times when we would meet up in London for a catch up many years ago. I remember being able to talk to you about anything with ease. I remember meeting up on the rooftop garden of the Queen Elizabeth Hall of the Southbank. We found a small table in the corner. We bought a homecooked meal to share with each other. I remember you enjoyed the glass noodles my mum made. I wish I could remember clearly everything from our conversations. But what I remember more is what I felt when I was with you: that I could be completely myself, that I felt safe, I could be playful and silly, and I could also be serious, vulnerable and emotional too. I remember your compassionate gaze and your gentle way of listening. When I last saw you, it may have been in 2023 on your last visit to Plum Village, you said sometime to me on the couch in the office that was so compassionate during a time I was feeling a lot of guilt and shame. You never judged me. You always seemed to see the best in me. I realise now how much of a refuge you truly were. I'm so terribly sad that you're gone. You will remain in my heart, dear Karim. Thank you for being such an amazing person and making the world a better place.