e devoid of any features
associated with feasts and entertainment. The celebration of Naw-Ruz, the
anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah and of the Bab should be
altogether cancelled as a token of our deep mourning for so distinguished
and precious a member of Baha'u'llah's family. The period of nine months
should be reckoned from the 15th of July to the 15th of April.

19: The loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf will be ...

(93) The loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf will be bitterly felt by all those
friends who had the pleasure and privilege to meet her. She always kept
such a wonderful atmosphere of joy and hope around her that was bound to
influence those that were present and help them to go out into the world
with added zeal and determination to consecrate all in the path of God.

The only consolation of Shoghi Effendi is in the knowledge that she has
been delivered from earthly worries and physical weakness and that she is
now in the presence of Baha'u'llah, her Father and Lord, enjoying the
infinite blessings of His eternal Kingdom.

20: Even though during these last years she was ...

(94) Even though during these last years she was weak and most of the time
confined to her room, yet she was a source of constant joy and inspiration
to those that met her. The Guardian feels her loss tremendously because
the greatest part of his leisure hours he used to spend in her company.

His only comfort is that she has been delivered from the worries and
weaknesses of a body that could no more withhold her spirit and help her
to express all her desire in meeting the friends and serving them.

At present, in the presence of her Father and Lord we trust she is
remembering us and asking for us His divine grace and blessings.

21: The passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf ...

(95) The passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf was a loss every Baha'i
will feel deeply if only he stops to think about it. She was such a
precious soul and so radiantly happy and hopeful even under most adverse
circumstances. Every believer that came in contact with her left her
presence with a more determined spirit of service and self-sacrifice. Both
Shoghi Effendi and the rest of the Baha'is will mourn her loss bitterly.
Their only consolation can be her own deliverance from a life of hardship
and difficulties, and her entrance into a realm which is naught but
eternal bliss and infinite divine grace.

22: Even thoug