Message from Neil Sardana

Eulogy for Jatinder Sardana
By his son Neil Sardana

Dear friends and family,
I am here today with you all today to honor, remember, and pray for my father Jatinder Sardana. We lost him last Thursday Dec 28th, after he spent 3 weeks at Henry Ford Hospital struggling to recover from a brain injury and surgery after he collapsed at home and injured his head.

On Dec 7th, my dad had just come back home from Beaumont Hospital where he was being treated for his kidney problems. A few minutes after reaching home, he was walking towards his favorite chair in our living room when he fell and hit his head landing him back in the hospital that same day where he then had an emergency brain surgery to try and save his life. That night my mom called me and told me that dad had fallen and was in surgery. I think we both knew that this time was not only very serious, but that it may be his last time. My wife Sarah and I, came to Detroit as soon as we could to go see dad and be with my mom.

My mom, Sarah, and I spent each day we could at the hospital for 3 weeks by his bedside praying and hoping for his recovery. After his surgery, Dad was in a serious coma for several days, until Tuesday Dec 19th on my birthday when he started to open his eyes and recognize that we were all there for him. For three days, he had the chance to see us and our family and friends. But unfortunately, those 3 days seemed like they were his last effort to see us and for us to see him one last time before he was ready to come to peace.

The night before dad fell it was his 79th birthday and I had given him a call before he had gone to sleep at Beaumont. We spoke about how he was back in the hospital again and how unfortunate it was that he was spending his birthday there. He told me how he was excited to go home the next day and finally celebrate his birthday with mom. I told him that regardless of the situation I hoped that he’d have a happy birthday and he thanked me and told me that I’ll talk to you tomorrow when I get home. Unfortunately, that was the last time I had to chance to talk to dad and enjoy our pleasant and brief calls.

As many of you may know, during his later years my dad had a lot of health issues. It seemed like every few times when I’d call my parents, my mom would tell me that dad was in the hospital again and almost every time it was for a new reason. My dad was starting to be a regular at the hospital almost like one becomes a regular at a bar. Apparently, all the nurses and staff seemed to know him and would always be just as eager as he was to get him out of the hospital and back home. One day, he even called me when his doctor randomly sent him to go to the hospital to get two pints of blood and he told me that he was just swinging by there just to get a quick fill up.

He was funny like that, he had all these health issues and injuries and yet he always stayed strong, kept making jokes, often making light of the situation. He was a fighter like no one else. He had been through so much medically that at times it almost seemed like one issue after another that nothing could stop him. My mom recently showed me a copy of his medical records for just the last ten years and they were bigger than a phonebook. He seemed to always find a way to make sure he did what he wanted how he wanted no matter what the situation. He wanted to enjoy his life his way and he wouldn’t let no doctor, no nurse, or even my mom keep him from doing anything the way he wanted. This was especially true if what he wanted was just simply Buddy’s Pizza.

That’s one of the biggest lessons that my dad taught me about is perseverance. That no matter what hand life deals you, that you continue to stand up and fight for yourself, your loved ones, and everything that you hold dear in your life. He fought just so he could enjoy the simple things in life. The chance to spend his days with my mom. The chance to come visit Sarah and I in Atlanta. The chance to enjoy moments of peace of at our home. And yes, the chance to watch a few Indian serials at home in his favorite chair. The one thing he always made sure of was that my mom and I were ok and that we always had what we needed. He never stopped day in and day out making sure he’d provide for us, his family.

Even though often my dad and I didn’t always see eye to eye on everything, he always supported me, trusted me, and made sure that he gave me every chance to be the best that I could be. He knew that just as he had to do things for himself his own way that I had to do the same for myself. In that way, I see how much I have followed from his example in how he lead his own life. By enjoying life to the fullest, appreciating life’s simple pleasures, and following your own path towards what you know is right and true. That is who Jatinder Sardana my father is, was, and will always be and is why we are all here honoring him here today.

Dad, I love you, I miss you, and I’ll never forget all that you have done for me.

May you rest in peace.


Special Thanks:
I would like to give a few special thanks to those who have made all difference and provided support during what I could easily say were the single hardest moments of my life and my mom’s in these last few weeks.

First, Sarah my wife, she came down from Atlanta to be with my mom and I as soon as possible after my dad fell. She has been my main source of support during this entire period and has helped keep me sane and strong during this entire time. She did everything she could, putting her life and work on hold for several weeks to be with us, care for us, and help us do everything we needed to do to handle this entire situation. Sarah thank you for everything, my words cannot fully express all our gratitude.

Next to all those who came to see my dad and spend time with my mom, Sarah, and I in the hospital and over the past three weeks. Your presence and spirit lifted us up during this difficult time. Many of you brought food, travelled from afar, provided support in making sure my dad got the best care possible, helped us plan this occasion on short notice, and in general provided our family with the love, care, and support we need to get through this difficult time. The community that has surround and supported my mom and dad has been absolutely a beautiful thing to witness not just now but over the years, and it’s your support that I know our family has much to be grateful for.

Lastly, my Mom, she has done everything she possibly could and more to take care of my dad ever since they were married almost 50 years ago. These last few years of his life my mom became his primary care taker and on many occasions she saved and extend my father’s life. Especially in 2001, when my dad became seriously ill for the first time and when he was on the verge of passing back then. My mom did everything in her power to make sure my dad had received what he needed to live and get through that time. Because of her, we all got to enjoy more time with my dad for over 16 years. Because of her dad was at my college and grad school graduations, he was there for Sarah and My wedding last year, and he was most recently at our home in Atlanta for the first time for us to celebrate Thanksgiving all together. Mom I’m sure dad could not thank you enough for all the heart and soul you poured into caring for and loving him. We are all grateful for everything you have done for him and for being a force greater than he and I could have ever imagined.

A candle was lit by Stephen J Tertel II Katy, Texas on December 31, 2017 11:37 AM

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I had the pleasure of working with Jim in my career with Beaumont. He was always willing to teach and helped me succeed in my projects. Jim was gentle and kind and will be surely missed by everyone.
Rest in peace Jim.

Stephen

A candle was lit by Stephen J Tertel II on December 31, 2017 11:31 AM