Our beloved father, baba joon passed away yesterday morning at Cedar Sinai Hospital at the age of 84. My sister Roxana Soltani and I were holding his hands for the last hour of his life. My brother Ashkan Soltani and mom Soraya Soltani and my dad's sister aunt Parvin and her son Ramin arrived just as he was crossing to the spirit realm. We had been visiting him everyday the past week, one person in the room at a time— a miracle considering the strict rules due to covid. The hospital only started allowing visits when his passing became more imminent. When I was with him the night before he passed , he was still aware, he called my name a few times and was even tapping his fingers to Persian music that I played for him (Gogoosh, Haydeh, Marzieh). I did not know that this would be our last exchange. Yesterday, he was barely breathing as we arrived, hanging on, waiting for us to get there so he could fly. 


Watching his passing was a soul stirring experience. The flow of tears and the waves of sorrow and void since have been at times so overwhelming. We had been diligently focusing on his healing and praying for a miracle for his cancer which never came. No matter how much one can try to prepare mentally for such a day, there is no way to know the depths of this pain, until the time is here. We are heartbroken but also relieved that he is free from the suffering. We are reminded of all the suffering in the world of all the people who have lost loved ones in this time.


This is a huge loss for our family. We were so blessed to have him as our father. Abbas Soltani was a nature lover, a mystic, a musician, a photographer, a philosopher, a lawyer and builder, an optimist, deeply proud and always content. He saw life as a big adventure unfolding and made the most of his days and also made great sacrifices for his family. He inspired many people around him and truly believed in his kids, that we could and would make the world better than we found it. 


A flood of memories are  pouring in as we each reflect on all of his teachings, his life and all the ways he shaped us. We’re going to hold a memorial for family and friends at a beach, the date TBD.


Baba joon, our heart are aching but we know that you have found eternal peace! We love you and miss you beyond words. While your body rests in peace, your spirit is now free to soar! We will hold you forever in our hearts. 💞💞🙏🏼💞💞