My Sweet Amoo

My sweet uncle passed away today, truly one of the most amazing and kind people I have had the pleasure of knowing.

Although he wasn't my my blood uncle, he was my aunt's husband, he was more an uncle to me than my real ones.  He has been in my life consistently and been in my mother's life since she was only 14.  He was a role model for all, a scholar, a scientist, a professor, a doctor, a historian and one of a kind. He leaves behind a legacy that will last forever and his work will be remember.

We always joked that my amoo (uncle in Farsi) lived to work. He was in love with is his job, he admired it and enjoyed it.  Last time I was in Iran, 2 years ago, I went to work with him one day as he owns a museum in Isfahan.  We walked through the museum and I reminisced about the days when my brother and I were kids and spent hours running around finding new rooms with different animals in them. My brother and I loved it there, every time we went, he had new pet or insect he was dissecting.

I remember one summer he had a pet eagle, another time we went and caught snakes with him. He used to stick his hand in a hole and pull out a hand full of snakes!  I was always screaming but loving him and what he did.  We have pictures with alligators and owls...pretty cool when you are 7 years old!

I just never realized until this last time as I was walking through each room, that my uncle's heart and sole are in every part of that museum.  He caught every animal, gutted them, learned about them and preserved them himself.  Then he would display them and write every description next to each display.  You have to see this place to realize how much work he put into it. Every room is packed full and every word is written in his writing.  Pretty amazing for one guy.

And as we walked I asked him which room is his favorite and we went in one of the smaller ones and it was all maps and geography and he told me that this was his favorite.  This was his real passion.  I asked him if he ever thinks about what he will do with the museum when he is gone, does he wish one of his kids could have taken over....I don't remember what he said.

I am so glad I went that day and I had the privilege to walk through his passion and life, just me and him, room by room, looking at everything and listening to him explain it.  What a treat and a memory that I will never forget.

My heart is broken that he is no longer here. I am so sad for my aunt that her sisters are across the world and can't be there for her.  I wish we could all be together.  However, I have peace that he died doing what he loved, he died shortly after giving a lecture and sharing his knowledge.  He died after living 78 wonderful years, after traveling the world, seeing and doing things most dream of, he got to see all his grand kids and he got to see his own kids in their lives healthy and happy.  He died after 53 years of marriage to my aunt.  This is something to be happy about.

I love you amoo and will miss you dearly.

Goodbye 2012...Hello 2013!

Can't believe its been one year.  One year ago today my mother and I received one of the worst phone calls that forever changed our lives.  Time truly goes by so quickly.  Its crazy that last year all we kept thinking is "how are we going to get through this and how will Hamid's family go on without him".  At the time you think, it will never end, but gradually life goes by.

It's been a tough year, probably one of the toughest of my life. It started with a loss and it seems that things just didn't get any easier.  2012 was a test for me, it was test to see how dedicated I am to what I am doing and how much I am willing to try.  Last year today, I thought to myself that this was the time to walk away and give up.  It took it as a sign that things are not meant to be.  But in the pit of my heart there was still this want and this knowledge that I am suppose to continue...so I did.

I have learn one of the greatest lessons of my life this past year, I learned that if you truly believe and love what you do, that nothing can stop you.  I know I am a fighter, but I just never realized how much I am willing to fight.  Although 2012 had it's ups and downs and I am happy to say goodbye and welcome the new year, it is a year I will never forget.

Now 2013, I have high hopes for and I am so excited to welcome the new year. I feel like this is the year and I am ready for it!  My resolutions for this year are to see my company begin to succeed and continue to grow.  I am determined to see Born products selling in a store somewhere in the world.  I promise to run my 2nd marathon, but only if I do it with Team in Training and sponsor a child with cancer.  On a more personal level, I am going to try and get out and meet more people...especially males.  I have been dedicated to my work, but now I feel like I can handle both.  I want to cross another item off on my bucket list! And lastly, I would love to be able to do something special for my parents...not sure exactly what that is yet, but something big if I can.

Here's to a great 2013!!!

Wait a sec...it's almost December!!!

It's awful that I have written in over 2 months!!! What is even worse is that I haven't realized that 2 months has passed. I feel as though this year has gone by exceptionally quick, before I know it another week has passed.  I didn't even realize the week of my birthday that it was my birthday until 3 days before it and even then I thought surely this can't be right!

To say we are busy is an understatement, being that my father and I are doing pretty much everything these days, we can't seem to catch up.  Some days I start with updating our website and different accounts and I end it creating new blends of products in our lab.  I can say that I have learned more the past few months than I ever imagined.  I have been involved with the oil refining process and going to UGA to work with the professors. I have learned all the accounting and filing of sales tax, etc. I worked  side by side with my father when the grapes come in and we have to process everything...yes it has been quite a journey.

It's crazy to experience all this, especially in a time that the economy is in such turmoil that no one knows what is next. People ask me all the time, how I can do this and keep going. They ask what keeps me motivated to go on.  To be honest there are days that I want to throw in the towel and I question whether it will all work.  But the minute I think about quiting I just know that it's not my time to quit.  I know that everything will work out and I am determined to see this company take off.  2 years ago I woke up knowing that this is what I am purpose to be doing and I feel it more now than ever. Yes I have days that I am in tears because I wonder when we are going to catch a break, but at the end of the day those tears make me want it more.   I hope one day I can look back and know that all this hard work paid off.

The days I will never forget.

These are the days I will never forget.  September 21, 2012, working with my dad for 8 hours outside. Cleaning, seeving and separating grape seeds from the skins.  For the first time in my life I am beyond dedicated to this.  I am willing to work like a dog, to put in my hard work, to blister from cleaning, to be in pain from lifting and to really be tiered from all the hard work.

Even a few months ago I was working hard, but I was balancing my life, I was working but when it was time to quit I was ready to relax.  Now it's as though a light has been turned on, I want it and I want it so bad that I am wanting to feel the pain, feel the heat and really dedicate myself to this.  The past 6 weeks have been crazy, we have been everywhere from North Carolina to Alabama. We have driven to different wineries in the same day and come home at the end of the night ready to pass out.  We have gone to north Georgie in an hours notice to pick up tons of pomace and have come home and unload it...just the two of us, me and my father.

My father has always worked hard and never asked me to get my hands dirty.  However, now I am ready to roll up my sleeves and work along side him.  I want to feel it so when the time comes and this takes off I know what it took.  I want to always remember these days of hard work and if ever my business is successful I want to know what it takes to get it there.  I hope I am always willing to put on my boots and dirty clothes and get my hands dirty no matter how successful I am, because only then will I appreciate where I have come from and how hard people really do work.

More than anything I hope and strive to one day be as good of parents as my mother and father.   One of my greatest fears is that I will not live up to to the people and parents they are.  My mom and dad are beyond amazing and every time I think I realize it, they do more and show me what it means to love and to care.

My father has always told me "I don't love my children, I am in love with my children".  As we worked together tonight and talked, he mentioned that all he has and wants is that one day when I am 45 years old to look back and be able to say that I am who I am and I am where I am because of what you taught me and because of the love you showed me.  They say parents play a small role in children's lives because it comes down to your genes and who you are, but I beg to differ. I think my parents are every reason that I am where I am and that I am who I am.

These are the days that I will NEVER forget. The days that I look into my father brown/green eyes and talk to the point of tears, talk about life, and who we are.  We talk about the obstacles and what lies ahead. These are the days that I will always remember my father telling me "sweetheart wealth is not about money, but about family and love".  I will always remember and cherish these days.  Whether Array Organics becomes something or not I have already made. I have had the pleasure of working with my father and gaining his knowledge.  These truly are the best days of my life!

Busy or lazy?

I don't know if I'm just too busy these days or plain old lazy...maybe a bit of both.  Either way it has been far too long since I have sat down to write. As usual there is so much to say as I never have a dull moment in my life.

Things have been busy, hectic, draining, fun and exciting all in one.  I have had good news and bad but all in all I know that if I just continue and work hard for the next few months things will turn around.  I have been traveling a lot lately, some for work and some for pleasure.  I went to Canada with my family and got to spend an amazing week with my cousins and my niece!  It was such a joy to wake up to her everyday for one week!  She is an absolute joy and growing so quickly. I can't believe her first birthday is next week!  It feels like yesterday that I was speeding to the hospital to meet her.

After Canada I headed out to Chicago, it was my first time there.  I have to say Chicago is a pretty cool city. I never imagined it to be such a fun city.  I loved the feel of the city and that you get the city life (like NYC) but just more calm and relaxed.  Some parts of my trip were great and others disappointing...some of you know why.  However, I have learned to to stay strong and move on.  At this point in my life I have come to far to let people hurt me or get me down.

Anyway, this past weekend I was at the beach with the girls for my Kery's bachelorette weekend.  It was very nice and relaxing. I realized once I was there that I had not been to the beach in a year...which is a long time for me.  We had a great weekend and more importantly Kery had fun.  Her wedding will be here before we know it!

In between all these trips I have been making day trips with my dad to all the vineyards we are working with to collect pomice.  We have been to Alabama a few times, North GA and this week we will be in NC!  Lots of driving, PR and hard work loading the grapes.  My poor father is really working is butt off once we get the pomice. He is drying and processing everything and man do I feel for him.  At the end of everyday we remember our goal and keep working.

I am excited to see what the next few months hold for us and pray that all of our hard work pays off!

7 months today. Although time is passing so quickly there isn't a day that we don't remember and think of you.  Always in our thoughts and missing you!

I'm craving a fruity drink and the beach....oh how I wish it could come true!