Of all the things I learned from Achan, the one trait that has had the most impact on my life is "resilience." He taught me how to take mishaps, both big and small, in my stride. He taught me that even the darkest moments in life, situations that seem unbearable, will pass. We need to not lose our sense of perspective but keep calm and think about what can be done next. In many of his journals, he wrote on the first page, the lines from the Serenity Prayer: "God help me change the things I can, accept the things I can't, and have the wisdom to know the difference." He had seen many dark days in his life, days I have no doubt he often reflected on quietly in his life, but he never let melancholy thoughts take over; he faced grief quietly but didn't use that as an excuse to not engage with life. He continued his daily routine, never wavering from the belief, that he often liked to remind me: "No matter what happens, the show must go on."

It is five years now and the show does go on, as you predicted, but in my head and my heart, whenever I find myself floundering, I hear your voice. It gives me strength to face the day, to try to live life fully and not let grief and self-pity become excuses to not engage in life.