In memory of my brother ( in law ), Sureshbhai...
My mind gets filled up with so many sweet memories of Sureshbhai, as I shared some of them here.
A gem of a human being, Sureshbhai was a genuine, loving, caring, wonderful noble soul, who was always there for you, when needed, with a smiling face.
He was there for me to witness almost every important milestone in my life...as my elder brother...as my friendly guide and philosopher. Blessed with a very kind and helpful nature, he advised me take up architecture in 1968; helped me with the process of getting admission to Master's program at U of I, Champaign as well as getting set up there, just as both he and Renu did again for Rutvan in 2012 in Philadelphia at U Penn, and once again for Ananya in 2014 in Lafayette at Purdue University...!!
He helped with getting an interview with SOM, Chicago, which boosted my career tremendously.
Sureshbhai, my best ever Teacher:
On my very first day in USA, he explained to me why this place remains very clean and peaceful. He not only taught me how to drive in US "correctly" as per the book, but also gave me his car !! He was as stickler for punctuality and following rules. I also learnt from him how to walk in downtown Chicago quickly thru short cuts and comfortably in tough cold weather by walking thru buildings, wherever he knew was possible ! All these " little " tips used to amuse me in the beginning, but I soon realized their due importance from the way he would teach.
Creating the Magic of making the other " trustworthy " !
As far back as in 1968, he trusted me, a 15-year old kid then, with taking care of his expensive big red Impala car, which he had imported to India, while he left India to work in USA. He has always placed full faith in me since then, with small and not-so-small things.
He let me handle organizing of the first ever big music show by a famous Indian star singer in US, Mr. Mohammad Rafi, in 1977. Watching Renu and Sureshbhai deliver graciously the opening speech to a 4,000 plus audience at Uptown Theater had brought tears of satisfaction and happiness in my eyes.
His Helpful Nature:
Their home was always a home for me and my family, where I stayed for more than 3 years with wonderful memories. I saw him help out many newcomers to USA during their initial period, a tradition that he continued from Madison, Wisconsin days.
Enjoying Life:
We did many things together....made and enjoyed delicious tea in the early mornings; cleaned out snow and even ice; enjoyed the rides in the train to downtown and back....for years. I was playing catch up, even with my long strides, as he used to walk very fast. We played racquetball, watched football games, the nitty gritty of which he taught me in great detail and with much enthusiasm, as was his nature. Relishing food from all over the world was a passion with him. Some of my fondest memories are of our enjoying the Ravinia Festivals Shows year after year.
Sureshbhai, the avid traveller:
He drove all the way to Florida via Smokey Mountains in 1976 with my mother and father, with whom he enjoyed a wonderful relationship. Later on in life, I was fortunate in having his company during quite a few trips together, each one etching out pleasant memories in my heart.
He would invariably take every guest, especially visiting from India, to his alma mater, University of Wisconsin, and also to The Baha'i Temple in Chicago, a philosophy that he deeply believed in and respected a lot.
Our fun travels include the one with family to Las Vegas; a cruise trip to Greek Islands; to Austria and Switzerland. Our walks at dawn time on the topmost deck of the ship shall remain an unforgettable experience.
Everywhere we went, he would join in enthusiastically and cheerfully, like the young-at-heart man that he has always been !! During his trip to India in2013, we managed to visit all his ancestral places, where his roots were...Bhavnagar, Palitana, Rajkot....meeting his old school and college mates, sharing with us the memories of the places, where he was born and lived during his early years. I am really thankful to the Almighty for having made this possible, as it meant so much to him.
And finally, in his last trip to India in 2014 to attend Rutvan & Eshita's marriage, he became an integral part of every function....at Rohtak, Bhopal, Bombay and Surat, with full involvement, even under adverse weather and travel issues. Presence of Apoor, Lisa, Dara and Drew added tremendously to his joy, as it allowed him to caringly look after them. He put on head gears and dresses to suit every function, danced at every opportunity...By the way, he was a very stylish dancer of garba and raas. He mingled with all the family members and guests freely, who remember him as a very fine gentleman.
Basically a " People's Person ", he loved to live life to the hilt. In 2015, even with my fractured foot, he took me to watch a Bears game in Chicago, and also walked all the way with me in a fundraiser marathon in Elmhurst !!
A gentle soul with a lot of compassion in his heart, Sureshbhai deserves the very best, and I am sure that he is on his way in his final journey to a very calm and peaceful resting place.
Ohm Shanti.....Shanti....Shanti....
Bharat Sheth