5 Ways ‘The Little Prince’ Guides Me Through the Heartbreaking Loss of My Student
“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry🌻 🍭 🍎 💙
Losing Brayden
Yesterday, my world changed forever with the passing of Brayden, a bright and joyful student of mine, whose presence over the past three years brought immense happiness to my life.
Just two weeks shy of his 12th birthday, Brayden’s untimely departure has left a void that I struggle to comprehend.
As I grapple with this profound loss, I find myself turning to The Little Prince, one of my favorite stories that offers timeless lessons on love, loss, and the invisible bonds that connect us.
Brayden, much like the Little Prince, saw the world with his heart, imparting lessons that will stay with me forever.
A Journey Through The Little Prince
The Little Prince, a philosophical tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, explores the essence of human relationships through the journey of a young prince.
The story begins with a pilot stranded in the Sahara Desert, who meets a young boy — the Little Prince — asking him to draw a sheep.
Lessons from Other Worlds:
On his tiny planet, the Little Prince cares for three volcanoes and a unique rose he loves deeply but doesn’t fully understand.
Feeling confused and yearning for clarity, he leaves to explore other worlds, encountering various adults who each embody a particular flaw in human nature:
- The King: Craving authority.
- The Vain Man: Seeking admiration.
- The Drunkard: Drinking to forget his shame.
- The Businessman: Obsessively counting stars to own them.
- The Lamplighter: Blindly following orders.
- The Geographer: Refusing to explore.
These encounters reveal the absurdity and loneliness of adulthood.
On Earth, the Little Prince meets a fox who teaches him about taming and forming meaningful bonds, saying, “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”
5 Ways The Little Prince Guides Me Through Loss:
1. Understanding the Initial Shock:
The sudden loss of Brayden mirrors the pilot’s crash in the Sahara Desert — a disorienting and isolating shock. Yet, just as the pilot’s encounter with the Little Prince brings profound insights, my memories of Brayden provide solace and wisdom.
Brayden, like the Little Prince, taught me to see with the heart. He loved eating apples 🍎 (and peanut butter) during our Zoom lessons and Challah (braided bread) and lollipops 🍭 during our in-person Torah lessons.
These moments are now invaluable treasures, invisible yet deeply felt.
2. Embracing Mindfulness in Grief:
Mindfulness involves being present and accepting our emotions. The Little Prince reminds us to look beyond the surface and cherish what is truly essential.
In my grief, I honor Brayden by remembering the joyful moments we shared, like his enthusiasm for learning Jewish blessings and prayers, and his eclectic taste in music — from AC/DC to Deep Purple.
These memories keep his spirit alive and help me stay connected to the present.
3. Coping with Pain:
Coping with loss requires embracing the pain and finding ways to heal. The Little Prince learns that love and loss are intertwined, realizing the importance of his rose.
Similarly, I find comfort in the love I shared with Brayden. Planting an apple tree in his memory is a symbolic act that represents growth and the nurturing of his legacy.
4. “One Sees Clearly Only with the Heart”
In The Little Prince, the fox’s lesson that “One sees clearly only with the heart” emphasizes the importance of relationships and the unique bonds we form.
Brayden’s insistence on continuing Hebrew lessons, even during summer, exemplifies his dedication and our deep connection.
These relationships define our purpose and help us cope with the pain of loss by cherishing the love we shared.
5. Apples Are Everywhere:
Apples hold profound significance, symbolizing knowledge, temptation, and wisdom.
From Adam and Eve to Snow White, to Apple Records (the Beatles’ record company), to the symbol of education, to Apple computers and the bitten apple logo, apples represent pivotal moments of choice and consequence.
Brayden’s favorite Hebrew word, “tapuach,” which means apple, and his love for apples remind me of life’s sweetness and simplicity.
Practical Steps for Coping:
- Embrace Your Emotions: Allow yourself to feel the grief and sadness fully. Acknowledge these emotions as part of the healing process.
- Stay Connected: Cherish the memories of your loved ones. Engage in activities that honor their memory.
- Mindfulness Practices: Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present. I like walk meditation — looking for naturally occurring hearts like rocks, leaves, and clouds — journaling, or simply sitting quietly can help you process your feelings.
- Symbolic Acts: Plant a tree or create a memorial that allows you to celebrate the life of your loved one.
- Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family, or support groups. Sharing your grief with others can provide comfort and understanding.
A Living Tribute to Brayden
Two days before his passing, I went to Home Depot intending to buy a lemon tree but felt compelled to buy an apple tree instead.
Now planted outside my studio, this apple tree stands as Brayden’s (tapuach) tree, a living memorial in his honor.
The apple tree outside my studio is now a daily reminder of his presence.
Just as the Little Prince’s rose was unique because of the love he invested in her, Brayden remains unique in our hearts.
May Brayden’s memory be a blessing and his legacy continue to inspire us to see with the heart 💙
P.S.
💙 In our lifetime, if we’re lucky, we meet a “Little Prince” — someone who teaches us to see with our hearts.
💙 I was blessed to meet my own Little Prince; he was my student and friend, and he taught me to see with my heart.
💙 In loving memory of Brayden H.(June 2012 — May 2024), who bravely fought cancer.
