Shiven Patel, a man who has impacted our lives forever. It's a difficult task to capture the essence of a person who meant so much to so many, but I'll do my best to convey the beautiful soul that Shiven was.
Shiven was, without a doubt, the most selfless person I ever knew. His personality was a mosaic of virtues, each trait contributing to the extraordinary person he was. Shiven embodied patience, wisdom, and selflessness. His sense of humor, an endless source of joy, brought laughter to even the darkest moments. His curiosity and understanding allowed him to relate to anyone on a personal level, regardless of age. For example, this past Thanksgiving he was joking with our two grandpas about how their screen time is too high for their age and to go for a walk and be more present.
Shiven was special from a very young age. Mom and Dad were always amazed by how unique he was. He was a Barney fanatic so much so that at the age of 3, he was able to identify each cassette title by episode. Whenever Mom was cooking and especially if it involved cheese, he was always around the corner with his hands ready to grab it. As he got older, he showed love in many different ways. He called Mom and Dad everyday after work just to ask what they had for dinner, how work was, and what the weekend plans were.
Being a big brother also brought out another side of him. As an older sibling, he always had a competitive nature whether it was winning in Wii bowling or playing Mario Party until he wins it all. His most important trait was showing support and protecting me in any situation.
His relationship with Sam also meant the world to him. Their partnership was unmatched. The love and support they showed each other everyday was a testament that pure, unconditional love exists.
His values included a strong commitment to faith and holiness. Shiven emphasized that his belief in God was genuine, transcending the quantity of times he was present. He was dearest to our beloved Guruji Prem Murti Bapa. He lived by the philosophy of quality over quantity, be it in the clothes he wore, the food he savored, or the trips he embarked upon. He lived by the quote “It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.”
Shiven was a pillar of unwavering support, always standing proudly behind everyone's journey in life, no matter the path they chose. His infectious enthusiasm and fear of missing out (FOMO) drove him to be present. For instance, Shiv would attempt to binge watch shows with the family just to rewatch them again the next morning because he fell asleep in the first 10 minutes. His love language was communicated through physical touch – warm hugs and comforting shoulder taps – and the joy of sharing food, a simple yet powerful expression of his deep connections with others.
In his limited time on this Earth, he achieved more than one could imagine, including traveling to over 15 countries, visiting half of the United States, transitioning from engineering to consulting, two vastly different fields, which highlight just how much he accomplished in such a short time. On top of all that, he recently was accepted to pursue his MBA.
As we remember Shiven, let us not dwell on the sadness of his departure but instead celebrate the phenomenal life he lived. The enduring legacy of Shiven will be cherished through his values of family, peace, and love that he wholeheartedly embraced and will impact generations to come. May we find solace in the memories we shared, and may his spirit guide us to live with the same passion, kindness, and joy that he brought to our lives. Your light will forever shine in our hearts, and your memory will be a source of strength and inspiration for us all. Fly Shiven Fly.
0
Share with others
