Where do we go when we die? Well, it's not like we can just hop on a celestial Uber and find out, right?

So, where does the soul journey? Where does the spirit reside? Newsflash: nobody knows! But one thing's for sure, folks — the body sticks around. It's like that one party guest who never gets the hint that it's time to leave.

This fleshy shell of ours can be buried, burned, or tossed into the sea like a message in a bottle. Or, if you're feeling fancy, you might preserve some bits in a mausoleum, an urn, or even as a charming keepsake. Personal belongings might be shared around like leftovers at a potluck. These tokens serve as a tangible reminder of those we've lost — because, let's face it, hugging a memory isn't quite as comforting.

These remnants become symbols of our loved ones, desperate attempts to cling to the past like a toddler with a security blanket. Meanwhile, our memories replay like a broken record, finding new meaning or comfort in old moments. It's like binge-watching the same episode of The Office for the hundredth time, hoping to catch a new joke.

Recently, my wonderful brother Colin passed away peacefully in his sleep, with a gentle smile on his face. One minute he was here, the next — poof! Gone. It's tough to picture a future without him, but I keep telling myself that he's still here in our memories, like an invisible, silent housemate who never pays rent.

The mind has an amazing way of protecting us, even in deep, gut-wrenching sadness. It's like a mental health bouncer, keeping the worst of the pain at bay. Through quiet time with God, prayers, and divine grace, I'm muddling through this grief.

But how do we heal? How do we move forward? At Colin's wake, friends and family gathered to swap stories about how he touched their lives. People from all walks of life, cultures, and faiths shared how he made them feel seen and heard. It was like a real-life episode of This Is Us, and I wasn't sure if I should laugh, cry, or both.

We often impact others in ways we don't realize — through kindness, deeds, and reflecting goodness. Connecting with those Colin touched gave us solace, like a cozy blanket on a cold night. I even learned more about my brother, discovering sides of him I never knew existed.

So, where do we go when we die? Who knows! But what if our love, like scattered ashes, spreads into the world? What if it lives on through acts of kindness and goodness? What if these remnants of love stick with us, so our loved ones continue to live in our hearts, memories, and life lessons?

Maybe we never truly die because we become part of one another — by the divine presence within us all. In this sense, what is death? It's not an end, but a continuation of life, like a never-ending game of tag. We live on in the hearts of those we touched, and then through those they touch, and so on till the end of time. Like a cosmic game of telephone, our love keeps passing on.

Simone Talma Flowers is the executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, a group that brings people of all faiths and cultures together to cultivate peace and respect. Because let's be real, we could all use a little more of that in our lives.