One of the things I am most proud of is something I had zero control over. It’s being my Papa’s grand-daughter.
I am, and will always be, #teamPapa.
It’s been almost two years since we lost the gem and patriarch of our family, but his legacy is something I hope I will carry forward for the rest of my days.
Our beloved Papa passed away at the age of 86. Otherwise, today he would have been 88. In honor of Papa’s birthday, and in his memory, my brother Faraz has created a fund to raise money for a disease that doesn’t just effect one physically, but more so mentally.
Like Faraz notes, Papa was always there to help others and one of the ways we can carry this trait forward is by funding research for a cure to helping others who are fighting Alzheimer’s.
From the onset of finding out our Papa had Alzheimer’s, it’s been a cause that has been near and dear to my heart. It’s a cause I hope many more people will get on board to support. It’s a cause I hope we can find a cure for in our lifetime so other families don’t have to watch their loved one go through what we had to. Watching your grandfather slowly lose his memory and not recognize his own kids or grand-kids is something no one should have to go through.
Why has the prevalence of dementia/Alzheimer’s increased so significantly? Or are the numbers the same and we just hearing more about it now because more people are “officially” being diagnosed? How much is our diet playing a factor? Let’s face it, our ancestors were eating organic and not any of the artificial food we consume regularly.
The circle of life, surely ensures nothing gold can stay… but the way our Papa was taken away from us slowly is a pain that’s hard to explain. I despise Alzheimer’s/dementia and what it did to my Papa.
I choose to focus on the countless good memories, for it is them that truly exemplify who our Papa was. It is those memories that remind me what count most in life. It’s those moments of inspiration that remind me how I want to raise my precious Arham.
I pray Allah SWT grants Papa the highest level of jannat.
I miss you Papa, today and always.
