The author reflects on the profound experience of public mourning, describing it as a unique space where people freely expressed their emotions and connected with one another physically and emotionally. This gathering was marked by a sense of uninhibited release and a heightened, almost ecstatic atmosphere, blending sorrow with an exhilarating communal spirit. The mingling of bodies and emotions created a vivid and intense backdrop for collective grief.

Later, the author recalls a statement by Khomeini emphasizing the importance of mourning rituals to the Islamic Republic, which resonated with her personal experience. This connection illustrates how such communal mourning not only serves as a means of expressing loss but also reinforces cultural and political identities. The blend of grief and fervor highlighted the underlying power of these ceremonies in shaping communal bonds and sustaining the regime's narrative.