Obituary

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a beautiful baby boy.

His chosen name, Naseem, means “fresh air, a breeze, spontaneous, happy go lucky,

enjoying the company of others and the more the merrier.” In the eight years he lived on this earth, he exuded each of those qualities, every day, in every way.

When he came into the world, on the 8th of August, 2008 at Staten Island University Hospital, he came like a breath of fresh air, a gentle breeze in the heat of the summer. When his mother saw him for the first time, it was love at first site. It has been said that as children we choose our parents, and Naseem chose parents who would give him the space to manifest these qualities in his daily life. Parents who would encourage him to fill the home with laughter, love, a softness in hugs and kisses and joy through dance.

Naseem was the baby brother of Nasir and Rashad and the big brother of Xavier and Mckayla. Amongst the kids he was gladly the most giving and inclusive. His more the merrier attitude extended to the relationships he had with his classmates.  He was in the 3rd grade at P.S. 57, and classmates would describe him as a happy go lucky social butterfly who loved to talk, play video games, participate with his whole heart and mind in family game night. He loved goat milk and pizza. He loved his family, he loved life. You could see him coming from a mile away, his skin a beautiful copper tone, he beamed with a light from within. And have you seen him dance? He could really dance. He danced with freedom, innocence, love, his whole body moved with a rhythm. If you saw Naseem dance it instantly brought a smile to your face.

What a blessing Naseem was, he could pick you up from the darkest place and make you smile and make you laugh just by being himself.  He danced and loved with such freedom in part due to his guardian angel, his brother Nasir. Nasir always looked out for his little brother, he even walked him to all his classes. His little brother was his partner, you see one, you saw the other.

Naseem you were joy in the flesh, your body small but your spirit larger than life. You had the gift of connection and created a special relationship with every person in your life. A beautiful spirit now looks over us. For what you have done on this earth, God has now given you the power to watch over your family in a way that you never could here on earth. My beautiful angel, I thank God for choosing me to be your mother. I thank God for choosing me to be your father, your stepfather, I thank God for choosing me to be your stepmother, your brother, your sister, your friend, your neighbor, your classmate, your teacher, your aunt, your uncle, your cousins, and your grandma. You are my guardian angel.