"Your lost friends are not dead, but gone before, advanced a stage or two upon that road which you must travel in the steps they trod."  Aristophanes

Advancing, that's the way I can look at your departure.
And that I too will "advance"  someday.
"The day is coming when I'll fly off."  Rumi

These old masters had wisdom as you did.

I pray to become wise, to become sure that all you have done is "advanced a stage or two."

And I pray wherever however that stage is it is a glorious one.

I pray for your soul advancing....