Even though our darling Goher has been physically absent from life at Meherazad these past weeks, her sterling presence is still very much with us. Because the relentless pace at Meherazad remains unchanged, Baba has not given the Mandali the luxury of time in which to mourn her loss, but Goher’s legacy of humility and selflessness continues to permeate the atmosphere and remind us of her remarkable life with Him.
We are in the midst of planning Goher’s interment at Meherabad which will take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. On the evening of the 13th, Goher’s Urn (which presently sits on a stool near Mehera’s bed) will be carried from Meherazad to the Samadhi where it will spend the night on the platform near Baba. All the Mandali plan to arrive at Meherabad by 9:45 a.m. on the 14th morning, where they will be joined by residents, pilgrims, and nearby community for the interment.
Though more than two months have gone by, we still remember Goher’s final days with crystal clarity. The morning she passed away, at about 6:15 am, Goher started Cheyne-Stokes, a pattern of breathing often seen at the end of life. She began to slowly lose consciousness and, thinking this meant she was leaving her body, I quickly told her, "Goher, we all love you!" Hearing those words evoked such a beautiful smile on her face - something we hadn't seen in weeks - as if she were receiving the love from everyone around the world whose lives she had touched. Goher’s joyous smile was her good-bye to us - and then she lost consciousness.
Baba gave the additional gift of time with Goher, because for the next 6 hours, as we waited for her to leave us, our tears gave way to happy memories of our times with her, and to singing songs of Baba she especially loved. And as we sang Baba's Name over and over again, although she was not conscious, we were amazed to see that Goher's lips were moving in repetition of His Name- and she continued to say His Name to the end. This is how those of us gathered around Goher spent her final hours - in remembrance and love of Baba and in contemplation of her imminent reunion with her Beloved. At 12:41 p.m. Goher finally slipped away.
Goher lay in state in Mandali Hall throughout the night, where the Mandali, family and friends gathered to share touching and humorous stories of her life. The following morning, after only a few hours sleep, we gathered again in the Hall to say Baba's prayers and sing the Gujerati Arti one last time with her at Meherazad - and were off to Meherabad for Goher’s final goodbye.
At Meherabad Goher was carried on a stretcher into the Samadhi and placed at Baba's feet with the women Mandali around her. After the prayers, Goher was carried to Mehera’s Shrine and she briefly rested on the ground between her Beloved Baba and His Mehera - both of whom she had served so faithfully.
Before her cremation, Goher lay in state on the Sabha Mandap up the Hill and in Mandali Hall at lower Meherabad. As Goher received the heartful love and respect from the hundreds who filed past, an expression of serenity seemed to appear on her face and then deepen with each good-bye. Though we were all losing an irreplaceable friend and example of a life lived totally in service to the Beloved, one didn’t feel sad. Quite the contrary. For Goher’s happiness spilled over into each heart, her final gift.
The love and thoughtfulness expressed by Baba’s family during Goher's illness and after she joined Beloved Baba have meant so much to everyone at Meherazad, and they send their loving appreciation to all His dear ones around the world.
With much love in Him,
Shelley Marrich
In correspondence for Meherazad
September 10, 2004