Tuesday, September 3, 2013

In Memory of Naimo

Hi, Ms! Are you new here?

That was my first meeting with Naimo ten years ago.
Naimo always walked to class with a smile unless something had happened that Naimo felt strongly about. Naimo did not know fear - except maybe spiders.
Even when school work was difficult, Naimo was never willing to give up.
She worried about her family; always wondering what she could do to help her sister, cousin or brother. Family was everything to Naimo.

Naimo was born in Somalia. She had seen more in the first few years of her life than most of us see during our entire lives. Yet she had developed an amazing ability to feel compassion for others. When we were studying together, and someone had a difficult time understanding, Naimo was always willing to help and explain the solution again and again. Was Naimo always right? No, but she was willing. Was Naimo always the perfect student? No, but she was so enthusiastic about so many things that it is hard for me to remember the negatives.

The day that Naimo graduated was a day full of joy! I don't think that Naimo believed that she would really graduate. I still remember Naimo's smile and the sounds that her family made when her name was announced. I was so proud of Naimo!

After graduation Naimo moved away. I had not seen Naimo for a few years. Through other students I heard that she had married, was helping newly arrived immigrants, and expecting a baby. Then a call came this summer; Naimo had been in a car accident. She did not survive. I was not sure what to think. It was unbelievable. Naimo had just had her baby a few months prior. Now her baby was left without a mother.

What can I say? My life is richer because I was privileged to teach and get to know Naimo. I will never forget Naimo's smile or her laugh. Perhaps these words from a poem "I'm Free" can speak more than I can.

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone will stay that way,
I found that peace at close of day.
-author unknown-


Complete poem can be found here.

17 comments:

  1. Nimo sounds like an incredible young woman that blessed you as you taught. It is so hard to learn of a student's death. It doesn't seem right that any of them should die so young. Thank you for sharing your memories of Nimo.

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  2. Oh, that's so sad! I'm so glad you took a moment to write about her. That's a beautiful poem!

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  3. It is so sad when someone so young is taken from us. This is a lovely tribute to a special person.

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  4. So tragic but thank you for sharing...I'm sure it would have made Nimo happy.

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  5. Jaana,
    Thank you for sharing Nimo today. Thank you for the poem. I read this earlier today, and your words and Nimo stayed with me all day.
    Hugs to you.

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    1. Thank you Pamela! I had not read that poem before. I came across it while searching words that would match how I was feeling.

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  6. Nimo will always live in the hearts and lives of everyone who knew her. I'm sorry that her child will not grow up with her. I hope that someone in her family will be able to help. xo

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    1. Thank you Nanc. I am sure that Nimo's extended family will be there for her child.

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  7. Oh my what a sad story yet somehow, you have helped share the joy in who she was here on earth. You were lucky to have interacted with her and she was lucky you came into her life!

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    1. Anita, I was indeed lucky to have Nimo in my life!

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  8. I was just reading a post on Reading to the Core about how we have someone in our life that makes an impact on us. The line was "I know I'm who I am today because I knew you." My reply was how many times do we forget to tell those people. Your post is another reminder to do just that. I am sure your friendship was a blessing to her as well.

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    1. Leigh Anne, thank you for your encouraging words.

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  9. So, so sad... yet so beautiful that you can say your life is richer and you will never forget...

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    1. My life is definitely richer! When I think, I can still hear Nimo's laugh!

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