Herinneren is een vorm van ontmoeten…

This poem is very personal to me. I wrote it in memory of Ajay, who was more than just my boss. He was someone who touched my life in ways I didn’t expect, through his faith, his encouragement, and his kindness. Even though I only knew him for a short time, his impact was deep and lasting.<br /> <br /> When I wrote “I didn’t know him long, but in that short time, he left a mark deeper than years could carve,” I was thinking about how some people don’t need years to change your life. Ajay was one of those people. In just a few encounters, he managed to leave a lasting imprint on my heart and outlook.<br /> <br /> The line “He wasn’t just a boss. He was a believer, not only in God, but in people” captures what made him different. His faith was real, and it showed in the way he treated others. He believed in people when they didn’t believe in themselves. That’s what he did for me.<br /> <br /> When I wrote “When others looked at resumes, he looked at hearts,” I was remembering how he saw something in me when I didn’t see it myself. I wasn’t the first choice for this job, but he stood up for me. He told me he believed I would be an asset, and that faith gave me the courage to say yes at a time when I had lost hope in the maritime world. I still remember his exact words: “It’s a blessing of mine to have you in my team.” Those words stayed with me. They reminded me that sometimes God places people in our path to speak life into us when we’ve stopped believing in our own worth.<br /> <br /> The part about us talking about work, life, and the Word reminds me of our long conversations, not just about tasks and deadlines, but about things that truly mattered. We shared our faith, exchanged insights from Scripture, and encouraged each other spiritually. When I wrote “as if heaven was just another office door he’d already stepped through,” I was thinking of how at peace he always seemed, like someone who already lived close to God.<br /> <br /> The lines “His praises were never empty, his feedback never harsh. He built people quietly, one honest word at a time” reflect how he led. He was generous with praise, sincere with feedback, and always wanted people to grow. His leadership came from the heart. I still remember during my first S/Z Conference when I presented my very first session. After I finished and walked back to my table in Cebu, Ajay, who was in Rotterdam at that time, sent me a message that read: “I am very pleased with the feedback from your presentations today. Well done and Salute.” That message meant more than he probably knew. It reminded me that encouragement can travel across oceans and still reach the heart right when it’s needed.<br /> <br /> When I said “I didn’t just lose a boss. I lost a brother in Christ,” it came from a very real place. His passing isn’t just a professional loss; it’s personal and spiritual. There was even a day he texted me asking, “What Bible verse did you recite for today?” When I replied with my verse, I received his message at the same time, and it was the exact same verse. It might seem like a coincidence, but to me it was divine timing, a quiet reminder that God was truly in the middle of our friendship. Ajay reminded me that God can send people at just the right moment to restore what’s been broken inside us.<br /> <br /> The ending, “He’s gone home, where faith becomes sight and labor turns to rest,” brings me comfort. I know he’s with the Lord now, where everything he believed in is finally fulfilled. Even though he’s gone, what he gave me was hope, encouragement, and belief which will stay with me.<br /> <br /> For me, this poem isn’t just about saying goodbye. It’s about gratitude. Ajay gave me something no one else in the maritime world could. He believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, and that’s something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.