To: Dr. Fereidoon Mahdi's Family
From: Rezais
If only we knew what to say to comfort you. But words are "inadequate" to express our heartfelt sympathy or to ease your pain and sorrow. You know we share your grief but how we wish that sharing could lighten the burden for you.
No loss is profound and painful as the loss of a family member. Too often we fail to see the true value of something until only after we lose it. Losing parents or a spouse can feel like being plunged into emotional whirlpool.
An overwhelming sense of personal loss has permeated my thoughts. To echo Mahdi's sentiment, "we were two souls emerged together in one body". With his departure, I feel that "a piece of my soul has forever gone away". Faust
By knowing him intimately since our high school days, I have been privileged to witness an ordinary person who possessed both strengths and weaknesses like everyone else overcome his monumental adversities. He traveled an extraordinary journey. He will be missed sorely. Mahdi, in my humble judgment, was a rare leader who embodied the qualities of openness, friendship and independence.
Mahdi now is with "Nostratallah", his beloved childhood soul mate. Rest in peace.
Nasser: Baltimore, MD USA##imported-begin##Nasser Rezai##imported-end##