08/20/2026
My dad’s life was beautifully centered around three things: his love for Sathya Sai Baba and his devotion to serving others, his deep love for his family and dear friends, and his joy in sharing great food with the people he loved.
His love for Sai Baba was reflected in the way he lived his life—with compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to serve others. Whether he was serving meals to people experiencing homelessness at a soup kitchen, making burritos for those in need, putting together hygiene kits, or participating in other activities at the Sai Center, he found joy in giving. Service was not simply something he did; it was an expression of who he was. He also loved singing devotional songs, which brought him great peace and joy.
His love for his family was perhaps the greatest gift he gave us. One of his favorite things to do was pick up his granddaughter from preschool and take her to the park. It became a cherished daily ritual. He loved being with his family, whether through everyday conversations, family trips, or simply sharing time together. We often talked about how incredibly blessed and grateful we were to have such a wonderful family.
And then, of course, there was his love of great food! He truly savored the experience of enjoying a delicious meal, especially when surrounded by family and friends. His favorite were pakoras. His very last request was for an orange, and he savored every bite.
There is something especially meaningful to me about that final orange. Saffron-orange is traditionally associated with purity, spiritual illumination, and the letting go of ego and material attachments. It also symbolizes the fullness and celebration of life. In some way, that simple orange feels like a beautiful final reflection of my dad’s life.
The day before he left us, he looked out and said to me, “Everyone is coming.”
I told him, “Yes, Daddy. Everyone will be here for Thanksgiving, and Leela is coming home.”
He simply repeated, “Everyone’s coming.”
It was almost as though he had an insight that I didn’t yet understand.
My dad knew how deeply he was loved, because he gave that same love so freely to all who knew him. 🩷