Letting go is difficult. I was reminded today that has been 5 years since we lost Luigi, our dear friend, father, confident, adviser. Luigi was the owner of our house in Mexico along with Carmen who is still in our lives.

When we met there was something that clicked, something deep I felt in my heart and I wasn’t wrong. They became part of our family, the first ones to see my baby daughter in hospital and to be present in every important occasion. They showed us a Mexico that we learned to love and taught us a lot about life and love, a deep love they felt for each other and that they gave to others selflessly.

When people die, the ones that stay have to go painfully through their lives and sort out what they will keep and what will be given away. Sadly, much of their presence within the home soon vanishes.

When my mother died a year ago, we went through the same process. Her life had to be sorted out, her clothes distributed to people who need it. Her apartment sold. Now someone is there, starting a new life in the same space as she did, a new cycle begins.

We sort out their lives but their full story is gone with them. What stays are bits and pieces of their existence that will remind us of the most precious moments.

Sometimes I think that it is very sad that their footprint will vanish with time but then of course it is up to us to keep it alive in our memories and in the few objects that will remind us of them.

In the last few days I have seen the outpouring of emotion in Iran with the death of one of their most beloved composers and singers Mohammad Reza Shajarian who had a 50 year long musical career. The people have mourned his loss not only because it is the end of an era but also because of the values and principles he upheld. His physical presence is gone but his music and the person he was will live on in the minds of old but also young Iranians.

Mohammad Reza Shajarian, center, in concert in 2011 with his daughter Mojgan Shajarian and Majid Derakhshani. He was widely credited with making traditional Persian music relevant and accessible to younger generations.Credit…Kamran Jebreili/Associated Press

May we all appreciate life, live and let live and make the most of it while we are still present in it.  And may we always treasure the precious moments we had with those who are no longer here.