There are times in one’s life that you have the joy, honour and good fortune to be in relationship with a truly wonderful human being. Mirjam is one of the people in the world I trusted the most. We had not seen each other in years and just last week I planned to get back in touch to ask her advice regarding a project and to share news of our families. She was a vital support to me in a very distressing time, so spontaneously and so fully. I hold in my heart the memories of the first 3 Keys seminar in Branka’s and Han’s home and spending time with the whole family who made me feel a part of your close unit, all of you so dear. I feel a physiological and strong emotional response of separation with Mirjam’s passing, a sign of her impact on me as a person. Knowing her changed me: to be more at ease with myself, to remain courageous and honour my values, to touch more deeply into my heart. There is an elegy sometimes attributed to Native American authorship, but in fact was written in the 1930s by a Baltimore housewife and mother. This poem is the one comfort I can find at this moment as it embodies how Mirjam will stay with me forever:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

I cannot be with you this weekend but my heart is with all of the Van Roon’s, and everyone who loved Mirjam.

Wat een enorme schok. Na onze studietijd hadden we elkaar uit het oog verloren, maar de reconnect een tijd terug was even bijzonder als de vriendschap toen. Daar denk ik met dankbaarheid aan terug.

De reconnect was heel natuurlijk: alsof we elkaar gisteren spraken. Dat kan niet meer, maar de herinneringen aan een haar onbevangenheid. kunst om veel te doorzien, mensen er (toen al!) doorheen te slepen, en dat de hele wereld haar thuis was, blijven en koester ik.

To the soul of dear Mirjam....
May Allah bless you with peace, love and beauty :)
Once, you were asked...in what language do you think? You thought for a while and said...you may not know well !!
Now I know very well dear ...you belong to the eternal light and you speak the language of your eternal beautiful soul.

Dear soul mate...
I could see now how we are connected more than before...
And it is only now and until the arrival of a new light ...I have a greater bond with you that would stay forever.

Dear Madam president...
The great lessons from the light connecting our souls has just started!!

Fatma, Sep 7th 2018
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Dear Mirjam,
Our last contact was 51 precious minutes by Skype. During those few minutes, you:
--Gave me your full and undivided attention, even though you were on vacation and we were discussing 3Keys-related business.
--Expressed energy and enthusiasm for our shared project that was uniquely motivating, inspiring, and contagious.
--Made what seemed impossible feel like a real possibility.
--Conveyed warmth, generosity, and an open heart that touched me deeply.
I know that these gifts you shared with me in those few minutes were those that you shared with everyone, all the time. I am saddened beyond words that you are no longer with us. There is no other Mirjam van Roon, and the world is a less shiny place without you in it. Namaste.