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My grandfather was well in his 90s when he passed away. Even in the last months, he could remember perfectly the phone numbers of all his 10 children (even the one in still living in Iran), and a number of his grand children and great grand children. He knew the addresses of all his countless homes in Iran and in the US. He knew the dates of his world travels, and his sense of humor was still intact... I never thought that he would ever pass away, he was so alive and lively.
Posted at 02:05 PM in Death, Family, Life, Relationships | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: 102 year old persian man, long healthy life
I have received several emails now from people in my network urging me to vote yes on proposition 8. They urge me to "pass this message on for the sacrament of marriage and for the sake of our children." They claim that if this proposition fails the entire institution of marriage is threatened.
Posted at 04:02 AM in Current Affairs, Family, Life, Television | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Gay lesbian marriage, Proposition 8, same sex marriage
If you have a few minutes to learn a little bit more about the thousands of young people in Iran, what motivates them, what they think of freedom, what they think of America, and what challenges they face everyday, watch this short film... It's a great investment of your time and you won't regret it.
Posted at 02:32 PM in Culture, Current Affairs, Life, Relationships, Tradition, Travel | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 02:56 AM in Current Affairs, Family, Life | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: charity, ideas for world peace, universal healthcare
What a fantastic trip that was. As we drove back into the once-beautiful Orange County, CA, we both looked at one another and said: "This is where we live??" We had remembered it more green, more alive, more---! Just more.


Posted at 10:33 AM in Health, Life, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
It was strange being there today with him only a few feet away, lying, eternally sleeping in a closed coffin. He was buried next to his wife. Reunited once again. And all day today, I feel him in the wind that blows through rattles the leafs and makes them sing, I feel him standing next to me, I see him in the laughter of the many children present at the service.
I expect to see him at every corner, in every room. It was strange walking into his room last night. Among the dozens of pictures that leaned against the walls the one of him and my grandmother stared back at me. Funny that I had never really noticed that photo before and now it's the one image associated with his room in my mind. As though the black and white photograph in which they must be in their thirties was ten feet wide and ten feet high. The room seemed uncomfortably small for the two of them sitting, smiling, and gazing back at me.
I spoke at the funeral as the representative of over 100 or so grand children and great grand children. Because I spoke in Farsi, I am including an English translation for those non-Iranian members of my family who may have been wondering what I was talking about:
"Aghajoon [A term of endearment by which we refer to my grandfather] was more than a grandfather to me.
He was my father. I always knew that I could count on his unconditional love and support. When ever I needed him, he was there for me, gave me confidence and power to move forward.
He was my friend. Aghajoon and I could sit and talk for hours without getting tired of each other's company.
He was my teacher. I have learned many valuable lessons from him.
Aghajoon has taught me that I can never allow fear and doubt to come between me and my dreams. Aghajoon lost his own father when he was very young. At the age of 12 he became the breadwinner of his family and had to support not only his mother but also his younger siblings. Despite all the difficulties that he encountered, he always chased and pursued what he wanted and was able to attain many of his goals and dreams.
Aghajoon has taught me that life is full of opportunities and that the only way to become successful is to be ready for these opportunities when they come my way.
He has taught me that to be a successful person, I must first love myself, respect myself, and believe in my own abilities.
He has taught me that through traveling I can increase my knowledge and become a better person for it. He himself loved to travel. He has driven through most of America, Iran, and Europe and visited countless countries.
Aghajoon has taught me that keeping one's body healthy through exercise and by eating the right foods is every person's responsibility in life. Even until a year ago when he got really ill, he'd wake up early every morning and walk for an hour before he started his day.
I have learned from Aghajoon that even in the worst and most difficult circumstances one can bring a smile to his own and other people's lips. Even when he didn't have the energy to talk anymore, he made every word count towards making others smile and laugh. I often found myself in his room trying to hold back tears only to start laughing moments later by a witty comment made by him.
For me, not having him next to me is very difficult.
A few months ago he asked me: When are you getting married so I can stop worrying about you?
I would have loved for him to be around to see me get married...
But, even with all that, I am happy.
Aghajoon: I am happy that you were in my life. I am happy that I have so many wonderful memories with you. I am happy that you have shared your stories with me so that I can take them with me where ever I go.
Aghajoon: I am eternally in love with you. I miss you."
Posted at 04:08 PM in Death, Family, Life | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
The Funeral Services for my grandfather, Mohammad Shahrestani, will be held at the location listed below, tomorrow, April 30, 2008 at 9:00AM.
Forest Lawn
4471 Lincoln Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
714-828-3131
Thank you for being with us and for your email responds.
Ellie
Posted at 03:46 PM in Death, Family, Life | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Death touches us all in life.
Life touches us in death.
Is there a word for someone who loves being alive? "I can control my heart with my mind." he used to say. His heart was weak, his mind strong. Until the very end. The medication weakened his mind, made him forget my face along with his daughters. There was no chance for his heart.
When were you first touched by death?
He used to tell me stories of men who had long since been dead and lived on only in his memories, in his stories, and now in the video tapes that I took while he talked. There is such joy and such sadness in remembering a friend who is no longer alive. The good old days.
I remember my mother speaking at her mother's funeral. Such tenderness in her voice. How could we not cry. The first death she ever witnessed was her own sisters almost a decade earlier. Then another sister, then a mother, now a father.
There is life in death. Waiting to be nurtured and resurrected. We live on with pieces of our dead flowing through our veins, influencing our thoughts, cheering us on.
Posted at 12:50 PM in Death, Family, Life, Relationships | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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