We lost one of the most beautiful human beings to have walked this earth yesterday, and I lost my greatest hero.

Asadollah, or "Fred," was a cowboy, a painter, a singer, a soccer star, a writer, an entrepreneur, an immigrant, a philosopher, a great listener, and a family man. Ruggedly handsome with a quiet demeanor and sweet heart, he was at once powerfully masculine and impossibly tender. Men and women adored him. Mom said it best, "Everyone loved Fred."

As kids, when we were at our worst, dad rarely scolded us. He just poured out his love and showed us that his well had no bottom. Our shame in the face of his loving brilliance was punishment alone.

In his final years, he heroically battled a devastating neurological disease called MSA which robbed him of so many abilities we take for granted, including sleeping, thinking, sitting up straight, standing, walking, and going to the bathroom. Our family rallied by his side as he fought against the unyielding destruction of his brain tissue. In his struggle, he regained for a short time the ability to sleep, stand, and even walk, but ultimately, the inability to swallow cost him his life. He suffered tremendously and endured pain that I could scarcely imagine feeling, but he did it with grace and dignity. He was beautiful and breathtaking.

Dad taught me so much, not least, how to be a good man. One of his last requests, which he repeated clearly through his crippled vocal tract while fighting back tears as he considered his impending demise was, "Take care of each other!"

I see so many small-minded "men" running around thinking they run our world. I'd rather take the advice of a real man, the kind of man that captures your heart and reminds us of our humanity. Sisters, brothers, others, let's take care of each other.