Because of You!

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I have kept writing about my brother Al regularly every day of his anniversary.However, yesterday, the day he left the Earth, all the negative feelings stemming from the issues I am facing overwhelmed me, leaving me unable to think clearly and without energy.
In any case, the precise date isn’t very significant, since Al is always on my mind. While I don’t view death as an end, Carl Jung’s words always echo in my ears: ‘Death is a drawing together of two worlds, not an end.’ We are the bridge.

Still, before I melt into the chair from the heat, it is good to have a review.

It is one of the unforgettable memories that I would like to share with you here:

You came, sweating, on a hot summer afternoon, and I was surprised. You were on military duty, far away in the south, but suddenly you were there. You said, “I can’t anymore!” You had escaped that mess!
In Iran, two years of military service are mandatory, and if one refuses, they have no chance of finding a job and will be sent to jail.

When it was your turn for military service, I was very worried about you; I knew we were not suited to the military, since our mother wanted to send us to a military school because she was tired of our unconventional behaviour. Still, one of our family members, a general, advised her not to do so. He told her that we were the sons of a thinker and intellectual, and that this was controversial for military school.

“Military intelligence is a contradiction in terms,” as Groucho Marx once said.
However, during the first three months of your service, you were in northern Tehran, could often come home, and found wonderful, unconventional friends there. Still, after that, they sent you far away to the south, far from home, far from your room, music, and solitude. After about two weeks, you left everything behind, came home, went to your room, put on a Beatles vinyl (Abbey Road), lay down, and listened.
Oh yes, I wasn’t a revolutionary like you yet and was a bit conservative! I asked you what would happen to you after this escape, about your life and your future. It doesn’t matter to me, he said; it is not my world! I asked, What world is yours? And he answered, “It is a world inhabited all by crazy people!”

Of course, it took me a while to understand your stance on that crazy world. I remember it well. I was in the bathroom, under the shower, and there, like Archimedes, I cried out, “Eureka! Eureka! I know now what the matter is: I know now that I don’t know!”
It’s been about nineteen years since you, in your belief, transitioned to that level of existence. May you have found your crazy world by now.
I can still see the image before my eyes; the moment you were lying on the ground, listening to music, while I sat helplessly before you. Still, that haunting, sad song brings tears to my eyes.
I think of you so often!

PS: I might be unavailable next week as I plan to visit a friend, unless I need urgent surgery and must stay in hospital. We’ll see how things unfold!
Wishing everyone a peaceful and wonderful time.

15 thoughts on “Because of You!”

  2. My friend, you have done Al proud. Such a beautiful heart touching remembrance of him. I had to smile at the bit about your mother being tired of your unconventional life styles. May you not need urgent surgery. Wishing you the very best. x

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dear Aladin, thank you for sharing such a touching memory of Al. The image of him choosing Abbey Road and its “crazy world” over a military career is unforgettable.

    Please take care of your health first, and I hope your medical checkups go well.
    Sending you a big hug.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I always enjoy hearing about your brother, Aladin.

    Thank you for the memories!

    You were both fabulous looking in your youth, full of wonder & energy. I see it in the pic.

    I wish you a good week in every way, especially to not be in the hospital.

    🤍❦🌹XO

    Liked by 1 person

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