April 14, 2009 - Eulogy for Mohammed Hasan Nusratty (04/14/09)
Dearest family and friends,
I have the tremendous honor today of speaking at my beloved father’s funeral which marks the end of an era for those of us gathered here.
For those who knew Mohammed Hasan Nusratty well, he was a man who touched us deeply as a human being, as a father, husband, brother, uncle and friend. We will always remember his philosopher’s smile, generous spirit, and compassion for others.
My father was a man of the most uncommon moral fiber and humanity. He was a man who was deeply loved by all and whose death brings forth the deepest grief and endless tears. His life is also cause for joyful reflection in its depth, scope and accomplishment.
Upon his death in the Oncology Unit at Alta Bates Hospital at 2:50pm this past Easter Sunday – a sunny day filled with the promise and warmth of Spring – evidence of his life’s accomplishment was standing close by in my brother who had been born in 1975 only one floor below in the Maternity Ward of the same hospital.
My father had a remarkable memory and could recite verses of Persian poetry from memory effortlessly as though reading from a book – particularly the verses of his late brother, the poet Mohammed Karim Nasraty who is buried nearby, may he rest in peace. My father was filled with memories and stories. He could easily recall the exact clothes he and his mother were wearing when he was only 3 years old on a specific winter day in Kabul. His memory was astonishing.
My father was a man of great strength and kindness. Let us not forget his rich sense of humor which warmed and comforted us all through the years. He was a sweet and gentle human being, a patient man who landscaped and cared for gardens, fed and took in stray animals, and looked out for those less unfortunate.
Even when he was very sick at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo a few weeks ago, he was still thinking of others. He asked me to give $20 to a sick, homeless patient who had briefly shared his room before being discharged. Upon receipt of the money, this man poured out gratitude and thanks to my father and said that most people would have just walked away.
That wasn’t my father. My father would never walk away from others. He taught us the meaning of life, how to be a good human being. He was a man of love, a man founded on spiritual principles. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” echoed in his every action, in his every word. He was the personification of kindness and through his actions we each learned what it meant to be kind.
The cancer was in the end too much for him. He had been struggling with cancer for 12 years, with leukemia since late 1996 and more recently with colorectal cancer which finally took his life after a brave 6 year fight. He was a valiant warrior who fought his illness with great courage for my mother, his children, extended family and friends. In the end, he was a perfect gentleman, giving in peacefully to a force greater than himself.
I had spoken to him over the years about his illness. He would gently tell me that there were limitations to life. But to be around him, you came to expect that he would never die, that his life would or could be limitless. He was larger than life.
Though our pain is overwhelming right now, I take some comfort knowing that he is perhaps in a better place smiling and watching over us with his beautiful, philosopher’s smile, his laugh lines deepening around his eyes and tears beginning to flow from his eyes that he can’t be with us anymore. He misses us but knows that he will always be close.
It is better for you this way my Daddy. There’s no more pain and you are at peace and one with God. Though I will miss you until the end of my days, rest assured that I will love you and honor your memory for a lifetime, for 10 lifetimes if that is possible.
Because you are a man for the Ages. There never was a man like you nor will there ever be. You were unique. I told you several times recently that you’re the greatest man there was or ever will be. When you heard this at the hospital in Vallejo, it brought a smile to your pain-stricken face.
Einstein once said about Gandhi, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
I know that I will reflect on your life over and over and scarce believe that you were once here with us. You were as great as the greatest men on earth, a shining example of a human being and the personification of kindness and patience. You led an astonishing life of kindness, compassion and goodness.
Thank you my dear, dear father and peace be unto you always.
mA bAz mibinEm ba khair, bAbA jAn – we will see you again.
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