Teach One, Feed One
It’s a Monday morning; I groggily roll over to a slew of missed calls and text messages from family and friends alike. My mind, still half asleep, doesn’t yet comprehend but my gut already knows something isn’t right. I call my parents back first and they tell me: Nasim, my childhood sister, was in an accident. The story unclear and the message still not processing, I reach out to a mutual friend whose call I had missed. Hearing the tone in her voice my body becomes heavy and I sink down into the bed. “Nasim was on a charter plane that went down a mile from its destination. No one survived…”
Nasim and I grew up together. Her family moved next door when her older sister was barely one and their mom still pregnant with Nasim. We spent our days eating kabob, dancing in the living room and going to Farsi class. We were “shaytoon” (little rascals) and kindred spirits; we were sisters.
Growing up together meant that her playful spirit was woven into the fabric of my being. She looked up to me and the path I’ve paved. She was my biggest cheerleader and greatest ally. When I found out she died a part of me died, too.
Her memorial service will forever be etched in my memory. Over 300 people attended — even the UPS delivery woman whose route included Nasim’s home (just a small testament to the volume of Nasim’s contagious spirit). We all shared stories with similar undertones: she had an infectious laugh that would unfailingly lift your spirit; she danced with so much grace that you couldn’t look away; she was consistently an hour late to everything but you could never stay mad; and she had a generous heart when it came to children.
It was incredible to hear everyone’s story and realize the profound impact Nasim had in her 29 years. One of the memories shared that stuck with me was when Nasim went to Guatemala to provide food and resources for underprivileged children. The experience changed both her life and her perspective and when she returned home she wanted to send every meal she had to those kids in need. Nasim began to work more closely with No Kid Hungry, a non profit organization that provides meals to disadvantaged families to continue feeding both the children and her soul. The young woman that always looked up to me with reverence and honor left an incredible social impact- one that I feel the need to carry on.
In an effort to keep Nasim’s generous spirit alive Office Yoga® is partnering with No Kid Hungry in our new campaign: “Teach One, Feed One.” For every class taught by Office Yoga®, we will donate a meal to a child in need. I am humbled to have known a vibrant character like Nasim, and I feel honored to carry on her legacy. For those of you who have lost a loved one, how do you keep their spirit alive? We’d love to know.
Ghorboonet beram (“may I be sacrificed for you”)
Maryam
CEO & Founder, Office Yoga®