A New Year's Tribute: Costa Rica and Beyond

Dear Aggy,

Today marks the beginning of a new year and the 14th anniversary of our first meeting. It saddens me that from now on, we will commemorate these milestones without you.

I vividly recall that day in 2010. Despite the many flight delays, cancellations, and lost luggage, you finally arrived in San José, Costa Rica. I was there to meet you and escort you to the hotel for the health retreat. Though things didn't go exactly as planned, we quickly bonded over a big serving of sweet papaya. That trip to Costa Rica laid the foundation of our relationship.

A few weeks later, as we returned to San José airport for your flight back to Poland, our extended farewell showed how hard it was to let go. This photo from that time remains one of my favourites. It captures a moment of pure connection and happiness, the beginning of our shared journey. Your expression, the warmth of your smile, and the close embrace speak volumes about the bond we had. It's a snapshot of a time when our future was a canvas of possibilities, and it reminds me of the friendship and love that started in Costa Rica and grew with every day we spent together.

Our first farewell at San José Airport, CR

New Year's resolutions have never been particularly significant to me. But in 2010, you were brimming with hope and possibilities for your health and future. Our lives changed that day, unfolding in ways we only came to understand in the weeks, months, and years that followed.

Meeting and having you in my life has made me a better person. Thank you for choosing me, and for believing in me. A new year might just be another day, but you showed me that any day can bring surprises if we're open to them. I'll try, for you.

I wish we could have fulfilled all your dreams. Yet, I believe some of them are still achievable. And that's part of why I'm sharing these stories.

Recently, I read your words written after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011. Your reaction to that and other global tragedies reflects your enduring compassion and empathy, never diminished by the challenges with your health. Your words from then are timeless and particularly resonant at this time of year:

My mum told me what happened, or better said is happening in Japan... I went downstairs and saw it on TV. It's terrible, horrible. It's so damn unfair. The earthquake. The tsunami. The floods... First I thought... people... innocent people there... animals, houses, cars... everything just knocked down in less than a minute. I'd cry out loud but I can't, there's a cry inside my heart though. Those people in Japan, they didn't chose to be part of a tragedy, a disaster. They didn't want to have their lives taken by a tsunami or an earthquake... they were just like us... like any other in the world. They wanted to LIVE, they had plans, arrangements, meetings, exams, whatever else..!! It's so damn unfair for them... why ???! Now I L💜VE my life even more. My precious beautiful life. I can see how blessed I've been. I am. I wanna live my life as good as I can do it. I appreciate every second, minute, hour day... I'm unspeakably grateful for my life. For my wonderful family, for all the people who care about me. Now I choose to live my life and leave an impression... help people change, change for the better. Help people feel and do what they've been meant to do. Make people live and care and be happy. No matter where, no matter who and with whom... I wanna be a strong one. I am a strong one. I'll pull it off. I'll be myself. And I'll start with myself. I'll listen and HEAR the voice inside my head, my heart, my soul... they're all important. They all merge into one precious jewel - ME. We're ALL jewels. We're the jewels of the Earth. All living creatures. We should live in peace. I'll just make it happen 😘

💜🙏