A Sad Day In My World!!!

This week was suppose to be a happy week for my Persian family. My Persian father (Iraj) had come home from the hospital and was doing better as he had been ill and in recovery. I took my vacation to come home to visit him, knowing he wasn't well. March 2nd, was a great day... My Persian father turn a whopping 70 years old and what made the day even better, my little brother was home from Iran to be with his father! We had a good time. I washed dads face, arms & feet, he smiled. I prepared to leave and head back to Philadelphia; I hugged dad, mom, my little brothers, Rooz and Sep then headed home. I knew soon it would be Norooz The Persian New Year and my little brother Rooz's birthday!

I was happy to know that I had seen dad just in case something happened while I was in Philadelphia. I told my boss that I wanted to pop back home for a short weekend to visit dad... I called my little bro and he told me that dad wasn't doing well. I had worked a long day and was a bit tired... but decided to rest a bit then drive 10 hours back to Michigan to see dad before he passes. I woke up and called home to check in. Ali, a wonderful friend and close member of my extended family told me that dad died the moment I called!

I couldn't believe it... This wonderful man that married a wonderful woman who gave birth to two amazing sons and accepted me as their son without criticism of who I was as a person... who didn't care about my past... who didn't care about anything other than loving me and opening their home to me was now GONE! There wasn't a day, a second, a moment that dad (Iraj) didn't love me, talk to me, motivate me... And I am sad to say that on this NOROOZ... I will not have him... I will not see his wonderful smile, I will miss his voice... I will miss the man I called father!