I wanted to share our encounter this past month with the pain of the sudden death of our friend Massimo, a young father and a great friend, but above all about my realisation that we are brought together by the religious sense no matter the circumstances we face.

A single "yes" to the somewhat sudden departure for Edinburgh at the request of a friend, has turned into a series of “yeses” in the face of the circumstances surrounding us. From driving Massimo's wife, Tania, home from the hospital together, to hugging and talking with his children, to playing football and capture the flag with them. Even choosing the most beautiful bouquet of flowers with the kids, praying the rosary with great participation, and supporting the family from afar for a month with all the logistics involved. Thanks to two families of friends who truly did everything possible to provide practical help (taking days off work, handling legal and administrative appointments, organizing the wake, the blessing, Tania and the kids’ return to Italy, the paperwork, and helping through the difficulties) everything culminated into an experience of immense goodness.

Without the awareness that there is a mysterious presence accompanying us, we would not have even been able to be there with them. We are experiencing the fact that death coexists with the triumph of friendship, with beauty, with nostalgia, and with the certainty that we are forever. What was born from the hope of arriving in Edinburgh in time to say goodbye to Massimo, and arriving only a few minutes after he passed away, gave rise to an even stronger relationship with our friends.

I went back to Scotland for a very short weekend with my nine-year-old daughter to celebrate Massimo, his eternal life, his family, and to thank the friends who united their hearts with all of us. This could not have happened without the knowledge that we are deeply loved and through the constant inner question that leads us to understand why and to whom we say our small "yeses".

To those who ask where this positivity in the face of adversity comes from, I have no other answer but the willingness to let myself be challenged as the truest thing. The Lord acts, and only asks that we allow ourselves to be acted upon.

As a friend told me: it is through this willingness that we become increasingly certain, capable of embracing and therefore being witnesses and educators for evermore.

Marta, Colchester