We think death is evil, because it takes away. But death takes away what was on loan to us from life. When the parting is in peace and love, death is the final part of all the happiness we shared. But the pain is still soul-crushing.

Sonya supported me through the dark days of being single and stupid, she was there when we moved in together with my future wife. On the first night, she somehow lured a bird onto a Moscow balcony, killed it, and brought it to Vasilisa as a housewarming present. She supported us through the tumultous Moscow days and through our difficult move to Western Europe. Since 2022, she had been with us here, sharing the joy and pain of building a new life.

I miss her.