In Memory of Simón Stepanovic
The Value of Communication in Grief
After a period of pause, I find myself in front of the keyboard facing a deep mental block. A latent fear took hold of me, the dread of writing words devoid of meaning or, perhaps, words I might not fully grasp. Yet today, with the sincerity of my heart, I feel the need to share a family experience that has left an indelible mark on us.
Not long ago, my family and I were confronted with a painful reality. My aunt and uncle discovered their son, Simón Stepanovic, 26 years old, lifeless on the floor of his room. Simón had made the premature decision to depart from this world. The news shook us, leaving us speechless, devoid of actions that seemed appropriate.
Initially, I believed that my words, though sincere, would not suffice to console my aunt Lucia, uncle Danilo, and my cousins Nicolás and Ignacia. I grappled with whether to express my feelings or remain silent. And if I did speak, would it be in the right manner, with the appropriate sentiment? However, amidst this pain, I’ve learned a valuable lesson from my own relatives: the power of honest and open dialogue.
My relatives showed me that one cannot sidestep the issue or avoid mentioning Simón for fear of reliving the pain. The pain, the void, is palpable, evident in every corner and moment. It’s a wound that, even if it may heal over time, will never completely disappear.
Today, I want to thank my relatives for their bravery in sharing their pain with us. They’ve demonstrated that true comfort lies in remembering, in speaking, in sharing. And though Simón is no longer physically with us, his memory deserves to be honored, his name deserves to be spoken.
Today, I wish I could be there with them, to hear their stories, to learn more about Simón, and to embrace them in this time of sorrow. Simón’s departure was premature, a wound we all carry. But together, with love and understanding, we can learn to live with it.
In memory of Simón Stepanovic and as a reminder to us all: let’s face the pain together, let’s talk, let’s remember, and above all, let’s love.
