August 30, 2010...Happy Birthday Amit...

Amit would have been 35 years old today...old by his estimates...he would have been finalizing his retirement plans to enjoy his golden years...(he was ambitious...what can we say)...

Happy Birthday Amit...I know you are out there watching over Deepika and Jevesh...an angel looking over his angels...Miss you so very much...

Here is a video for my angels...

August 18, 2010...two years...a little justice...a little peace

I know that I should have posted this sooner...but this past week has been one of the hardest weeks I have had since we lost Amit two years ago. The recent probation violations and my need to take a stand brought me to a point where I had to revisit so very much of what I had been trying to move past.

Now, my hope is that we can all begin to heal again...continue the process to come to terms with the memories we must carry with us.

On Wednesday, August 18, Troy Lee Hovey was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison. Troy must serve 80% of this sentence and must serve an additional three years of probation upon his release.

The following is the link to the Chico E-R article on the sentencing and the comment forum for the article.

http://www.chicoer.com/ci_15825100?source=rss_viewed

The judge almost gave Troy Hovey the harsher full sentence. It was only that he has no extensive prior criminal record that she chose to give him the "mid term."

The judge also shared that she had received numerous letters (for both sides) that generated a folder almost 4-5 inches thick. She read all of them at least once and some, more. She noted that in discussions prior to the sentencing that she and Mr. Hovey had had a discussion regarding the difference between a mistake and deceit and that Mr. Hovey had admitted that what he had done qualified as deceit.

Troy Hovey made his choices...he has admitted to his crimes...and now he must suffer the consequences of those choices. He has punished everyone...Deepika, Amit's family, Amit's friends, me, and his own family and friends by virtue of the choices he has made. In the end...we have a little justice, maybe a little more peace...we have the opportunity to heal...but Amit is still gone from our lives and nothing changes that reality. I cannot say that I am happy...I can just say that I will heal...as will so many others.

For those that are interested, I will be printing excerpts of my statements on my other blog, Taking Action/Making a diffference...please feel free to visit the blog if you would like.

I will continue to post on both blogs...I will continue to try and make a difference, not only for Deepika, Amit, and Jevesh, but for so many others that must suffer the pain and heartache of such preventable and terrible tragedies.

Please...never drink and drive and never let anyone else drink and drive...Take a stand and do something...please...

20 Months! Happy 20 month Birthday Jevesh!

Some pics and videos to celebrate Jevesh's 20 month birthday!

All dressed up...How beautiful are these two angels!

Waiting...

Mmm...water ...tasty, tasty...aah

Wakey, Wakey, sleepyhead...

Cheeeese! (Paneeeer!)

Just finished watching the fish in the pond...

Smile!

May fortune always find you, may good health always be with you, may bountiful blessings overflow in your lives, and may angels always watch over you and keep you near.

Dancy, Dancy!!!

(Sorry I took the video from a different angle and I can't flip it right side up...but still...pretty cute, eh?)

I see you...

August 6, 2008...August 6, 2010...

I have pondered now, for quite some time, on what I wanted to say today. I had wanted to be happy, not dwelling on the sad, the unhappy, though I cannot help but admit that with the events of the last month, I cannot help but be more heartbroken than I had expected to be, and shedding a few more tears for which I know Amit would most assuredly chastise me (I cannot help it...I am a cryer...happy, sad, angry...I have very well functioning tear ducts).

That being said, I will focus on that which makes me smile.

Allow me to share just a few of my memories and please feel free to share your own in the comments field.

He had a smile that lit up a room. You would see his face open up into that grin and he would say, hi sweety or hi honey...he also had a funny way of saying hola amigo...only I don't think he intended it to sound as funny as it sometimes did...(he wanted to learn Spanish).

I remember how he would leave the booth to come out and say hello to customers and friends...especially to the kids...he would also always make time at the beginning of the market to walk around and see everyone.

He loved food...loved it...and he had an amazing appetite. I once witnessed him order two meals....He ordered the first, finished it...and ordered a second as we stared in amazement...apparently he had not had a chance to eat much that day in the kitchen...

He loved his spice...there were meals we made in the kitchen that I would refuse to try...I might have been working there...but if I can smell the spicy heat coming off of the food...I am not letting it touch my lips...I am a wimp on the scoville scale compared to Amit...I once saw him eat something so spicy he was sweating, his nose was running, I think he may have even been crying a little, and even the lassi barely put that fire out...it looked like a painful experience and the one little taste I made the mistake of trying left my mouth burning for a half hour ...but he loved it...

I was in Tucson during most of 2008 so I never had a chance to talk to Amit about married life or becoming a father...but even so...I know that he was one of the happiest men a person would likely come across...he had married a woman who was not just his wife, but his friend, partner, and love...and fatherhood was something he had long been waiting for...I can only imagine the excitement and joy he must have experienced as he felt that first kick. His life was filled with joy and he knew he was a lucky and blessed man. I like to think of Amit as the attentive guardian angel, looking out for Deepika and Jevesh, always by their side.

I will post pictures of Jevesh as soon as I can...a tribute and celebration of a little piece of Amit that continues to bless our lives.

Amit was many things...son, uncle, brother, cousin, buddy, boss, husband, friend, and father. He was loved in all of those roles. Think of him this weekend. Think of all the things that bring a smile to your face. Cherish the wonderful memories that you hold in your heart.

So let me leave you with these last thoughts...Cherish the ones you love, the ones you care about...even the ones you just like, for you do not know what tomorrow may bring, and regrets are the heartaches that weigh heavy on your soul.