The Zhubin Foundation

Helping families living with dependent, special needs children of all ages

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"Let your life be an example."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:10:09+00:00
"Let your life be an example."  ~Zhubin

"To be a master, one has to have faith."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:11:16+00:00
"To be a master, one has to have faith."  ~Zhubin

"Good things always happen. Be sure to see them."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:12:34+00:00
"Good things always happen. Be sure to see them."  ~Zhubin

"Go deep and see how amazing everything is."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:13:51+00:00
"Go deep and see how amazing everything is."  ~Zhubin

"Have faith in things that you don’t know.'  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:14:51+00:00
"Have faith in things that you don’t know.'  ~Zhubin

"Could must be replaced by can."   ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:17:02+00:00
"Could must be replaced by can."   ~Zhubin

"See through your soul’s eyes." ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:17:35+00:00
"See through your soul’s eyes." ~Zhubin

"Be in tune with yourself. Trust your heart."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:19:12+00:00
"Be in tune with yourself. Trust your heart."  ~Zhubin

"Wonder and wonder. You will see and become."  ~Zhubin
2015-10-26T06:20:13+00:00
"Wonder and wonder. You will see and become."  ~Zhubin

Simin’s Presentation

Simin’s Presentation to Friends and Supporters
at the October 12, 2004 Launch

Dear Friends,

I want to share with you a few reasons why we are here tonight.

This evening is the highlight of my life. But it wouldn’t have happened without God’s help and my son’s spirit. It also wouldn’t have come to pass without my brother Ali. His love and generosity for Zhubin was and is real. It was Ali’s wish to honor Zhubin’s memory with this Foundation. It wouldn’t be without my husband Zyg’s devotion and hard work. He stood tall and strong by my side during all these painful years. And it would not be without the love and dedication of every single one of the Board members. This Foundation has come to life by working all together, hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart.

Zhubin suffered from an extreme sleep disorder, which led to other severe health problems including tremendous pain in the head. Every single day I asked myself how he could take this pain, and I still do – even though he loved life, and had strong faith, courage, and hope. His final decision was not spur of the moment. He thought about it carefully, for a long time. And in the last two months of his life, in his own special way he tried to prepare me as best as he could.  

I remember very well that cold afternoon by the fireplace when he talked to me about his final decision. He was really determined yet full of love and concern about me and the loved ones he was leaving behind. He was trying, with such a gentleness, to make me understand. We had tried everything. We were at the end of the rope – there was no cure and we all knew it – even though our hearts denied it. He asked for my blessing. Looking in his eyes, and feeling his pain, with every cell in my body I knew that he had made up his mind. With pouring tears and a broken heart, I gave him my blessing and the peace he longed for – but a mother can never give up, she always has hope and fights on. 

He was only 21…

Zhubin said to me:

  • You’re going to have a life without me
  • Promise to do what I want to do but can’t
  • Help all
  • Open doors for others
  • Make the flowers bloom
  • Plant the seed of life with love
  • Let your life be an example
  • Don’t be broken
  • Have the courage
  • Look ahead and move on
  • That should be your purpose in life
  • A life without a purpose is empty

I never thought that I could survive this loss. But Zhubin’s gentleness and love towards all, his way of thinking about life, and his words to me have been my guiding light and inspiration for this Foundation. I have not been alone on this road. God has rewarded me with a caring and supporting husband, a loving family, and many true friends both old and new. Binny and Ravi – I’ll never forget your kindness and open heart. Not a single kind word or a warm hug has been forgotten. They are all registered in my heart.

My son’s sickness and then loss made me realize what true love is:

  • To love is to give without thought for oneself, to fully keep faith on a difficult path.
  • Love is courage, trust, and loyalty.
  • Love is gentleness in every word and thought and deed.
  • Love is understanding, no matter what the outcome is.
  • Love is kind and suffers long.

Love is the base of this charitable foundation. It is a good and honest one – with a real life story behind it. Zyg and I have made this Foundation our mission. The misery and agony we went through is beyond human level and capacity. No parent and child should ever go through it. We will follow Zhubin’s words to me to do well by doing good, and make sure that every effort and penny goes to the right place and the needy families. I don’t know how many doors we can open, or how big they will be. But as God is our witness, we’re going to do our best.

I am blessed to have a stepchild, Adam, who is my second son. He loved and still loves Zhubin – and I dare to say more than a real brother could. I hope Adam will help Zyg and me and then continue to keep the light on and the door open.

I have been told that “a broken hearted mother’s prayers are the purest.” I don’t know about mine, but you are all in my heart and prayers. 

I thank you all so dearly for sharing this special evening with me.

So tonight, my beloved son, I can tell you that I’ve kept my promise – and this is just the beginning. And I know, with all my heart and soul, you will keep your promise and you will come to me when my time comes and we will be together forever.

I love you all. God bless you all. Thank you.

Simin Sarikhani