Karen's Farewell to Farah (from 'Out of Africa')

At the end of her time in Africa, Karen Blixen was preparing to leave for Denmark, knowing she would never return.  This is her farewell to Farah, her servant who had been her friend during her entire time there:

• Karen: Farah, do you remember how it was on safari? In the afternoons I would send you ahead to look for a camp, and you would wait for me.
• Farah: You can see the fire and come to this place.
• Karen: Yes. Well, it will be like that. Only this time I will go ahead and wait for you.
• Farah: It is far, where you are going?
• Karen: Yes.
• Farah: You must make this fire very big - so I can find you.

What a healing and powerful image - that when we lose somebody from our lives they are going ahead, and building a fire for us to one day follow.  

My prayer is that as we live our lives—and as we pass into whatever lies beyond—that we will always build fires large and enduring enough that those we love will be able to find us, and that we will seek the fires others have built for us. 

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/an-Vngp7J7m4hbm72/out_of_africa_1985_separating_from_farah/