It has been a little more than 8 months since a friend of mine passed away.

Jalil Hajimir was blunt with his feedback, direct in his criticism, and open about himself and his shortcomings. His practicality and love of learning connected him to countless people around the globe. Those he met and interacted with were touched by his warmth and his spirit, and while he commanded the attention and respect of others he never failed to make room for newcomers to speak and grow. He was never focused on fear, or the massive problems that existed, instead he put his thought, his time and his care into the future. He encapsulated what it means to be a teacher.

He has been listed on the Time Repair Corporations website as our International Pedagogical Developer, and I have been slow to take him down, because doing so would make his loss real. I understand that I have done Mr Hajimir, his friends and family, and myself no favors in delaying my grief, but am now able to reflect on the contribution he made to my own life. I can only speak for the impact that I observed myself, but that impact has been significant.

As I take his picture down from the team page, I will be adding this small memorial in which I hope to communicate my gratitude to no one in particular, hopefully he will understand. Mr Hajimir treated me with respect and kindness from the beginning, and he did his best to help me reach the things that matter to me. He went out of his way to create an environment that helped me develop faith in myself, and the changes I was trying to make in the world. Most important of all, he laid out a path and example through his humility and focus, to show me how I could dedicate myself to service and the betterment of the human experience by helping others believe in themselves and build projects in turn. It is difficult to quantify the debt one accrues based on such unconditional support.

Grief is made up of the pain of loss, knowing that something irreplaceable has been lost from this world. Mr Hajimir was a reminder that the greatness of any individual is based on the growth that they inspire and foster around themselves. I know that I could not repay what he has contributed to my life, but he never would have heard of such a thing. He understood that we are indebted to those who come after us for the support leant by those who came before. My time will be taken up doing my best to live up to his example, and I hope that for my life I can continue to cultivate and inspire values and growth the way he did.

I was lucky to have known Jalil Hajimir. Thank you my friend.

Consolation

Robert Louis Stevenson - 1850-1894

Though he, that ever kind and true,

Kept stoutly step by step with you,

Your whole long, gusty lifetime through,

Be gone a while before,

Be now a moment gone before,

Yet, doubt not, soon the seasons shall restore

Your friend to you.

He has but turned the corner — still

He pushes on with right good will,

Through mire and marsh, by heugh and hill,

That self-same arduous way —

That self-same upland, hopeful way,

That you and he through many a doubtful day

Attempted still.

He is not dead, this friend — not dead,

But in the path we mortals tread

Got some few, trifling steps ahead

And nearer to the end;

So that you too, once past the bend,

Shall meet again, as face to face, this friend

You fancy dead.

Push gaily on, strong heart! The while

You travel forward mile by mile,

He loiters with a backward smile

Till you can overtake,

And strains his eyes to search his wake,

Or whistling, as he sees you through the brake,

Waits on a stile.