MCI for Amin Noroozi
On the third weekend in May, love was in full bloom in Lafayette. Members of the community gathered their work gloves and shovels and got to work building a memorial garden at the Noroozi family’s home to honor their son, Amin. Almost exactly a month earlier, Amin, a beloved junior at Acalanes High School, passed away due to complications from a swimming accident. This sudden loss was devastating for his parents, Ofelia and Payman, his sister, Sahar, and the entire Dons community. What began as an idea in the days that followed soon grew into something larger: a project to transform the Noroozi’s front yard into a space filled with love and remembrance. The Acalanes community and local businesses quickly rallied together.
At the helm were Tony Trowbridge, co-owner of Mindful Construction, and landscape designer Dena Rochelle. Without hesitation, Tony said, “We’re all in!” after learning of this opportunity to show love and support for Amin’s family. Mindful Construction contributed the landscape design, procured donations of materials, and oversaw plant installation and special touches, including a bistro set and a heart-shaped piece of limestone. Lafayette’s own Orchard Nursery generously donated and delivered plants. Sloat Garden Center, Blue Sky Plumbing, Calco Partners, Proficient Tree Care, and Rafael’s Fencing also stepped in with resources and services.
Tony and his crew, along with a few business partners and volunteers, cleared and prepped the yard ahead of the planting weekend. Then, friends, teammates, coaches, and parents arrived in shifts to plant trees and succulents, lay a stone pathway through the yard, and build a mailbox. The project was an outlet for their emotions. “It can be difficult to know how to help and what to do with grief,” said volunteer and family friend Kandice Caicedo. “Building this garden for the Noroozi family allowed many of Amin’s friends and others grieving in the community to channel their energy into creating something meaningful.” Jane Smith, a family friend and Acalanes Boosters president, took the lead in organizing volunteers.
As the weekend came to a close, Jane shared these words while Ofelia, Payman, and Sahar stood surrounded by their Dons family: “These flowers and plants will continue to grow, just like Amin would want all of us to. He would want us to live, to flourish, and to carry him in our hearts as we move forward. This yard, full of color and life, is a reflection of that — a reminder that love doesn’t end, it just finds new ways to bloom.” Ofelia reflected, “These days feel kind of foggy without Amin. But then there’s the garden, made with love by his friends, Dons parents, and coaches. They showed up for my family, for Amin. It doesn’t take the pain away, but it reminds me we’re not alone. And for that, we’re really grateful.”
-Article written by Greet Lafayette
