Sunday, May 25, 2008

Hayden Lee Rosenstein (1986-2008 RIP)

I'm not really good at this sort of writing, but the Zaikov family suffered a pretty serious tragedy. My cousin Hayden suddenly passed away this morning at the WAY too young age of 21. Its way too early and I don't know all (any) of the details, but it really doesn't matter, my cousin was taken away from our family and it just doesn't quite seem fair.









UPDATE (5/28): As it turns out, Hayden had not been feeling well for a couple of weeks. Doctors couldn't figure out what the problem was. He was given a green light to go on a trip to Europe for a month. What the doctors did not pick up on was a virus was attacking his heart. And he died from a heart attack...at the age of 21. Even typing that out, it just will never make sense to me or anyone else in this family. We love you Hayden and you will be with us forever.


I encourage everyone to share whatever stories of Hayden you may have here in the comments section.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was not really close with Hayden the past couple of years. But i've known him all throughout elementary school to high school. This was very sad news and I just want to pay my respects. Hayden was a good kid and this was a tragic event Rest in peace man. I send my regards to the family.

Hendrick Salomon

Anonymous said...

i feel really bad for him. im friends with his brother and my prays go out to hayden and the rosenstein family
r.i.p

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of working with Hayden at PF Changs, I feel for his family, This is a great loss for everyone that knew him. He was so nice and fun to be around, He had so much left to do.. He was to leave for a grand trip in just a few days, he was so excited. Two weeks ago he had gotten his lip pierced and his wonderful mother was so upset that he had done this that he with a little hesitation took it out, he didn't want to upset her. He spoke about the great time he had with his family during this last Passover, He was smiling ear to ear, telling me stories of how much fun it was to be with everyone, how much he laughed, He loved his family and friends.. He will never be forgotten, and will always be missed.

Anonymous said...

My two sons grew up playing with Hayden on the block at the far end of Annette Drive. He had been in my home and was always welcome. My entire family will miss him and the sight of his yellow car. Our best wishes and prayers go out to his family.

Anonymous said...

I am a neighbor of the Rosenstein Family. I send my sincere condolences to all the family members at this very sad time. You are in my prayers and thoughts.

Anonymous said...

In the past eight months of my life, I was blessed to be around Hayden daily and to become close friends with such a beautiful soul. I worked with him at PF Changs where he dazzled everyone he came in contact with because that was just his way. Him and I would had a movie night weekly where we would rent the stupidest sounding movie we could find on demand. We'd specifically search for terrible horror flicks and laugh at them the entire night. He became like a borther to me because I am a typical female with non stop gossip and Hayden always had such a patience to him to listen. We'd drink coffee until the sun came up and there was never a dull moment. And when I resigned several weeks ago, he was the only person to show up for my going away party because that's just how he was. He was thoughtful, competitive, spirited and genuine. The type of person that had such a lust for life and you would never see in a bad mood. I've never known anyone like Hayden, and I'm sure I never will. When I started PF Changs I had just moved cross country from California and when I first heard of his passing I was heartbroken that I lost him but later realized that I was blessed to move home and spend the last eight months with him. I miss him more than words can ever explain and I will pray for his family everyday.

Anonymous said...

There are no words for what has happened. It is so sad. What a nice family ! I am so sorry for your loss. It should never happen to anyone to lose a child. Life is so precious & everyday together is a gift.I wish I can say something to make the pain go away. RIP

Anonymous said...

Whenever the young depart before the old, it's a moment to pause and reflect. You just don't expect this kind of thing to happen.

I keep coming back to how Hayden was so many different things to so many different people. The three friends that spoke at the service, the pretty female coworker who stopped by the house, my memories growing up.. Hayd was such a dynamic force. Quiet, loud, light-hearted, serious-he defies definition.

There's no explanation, and it's not easy to buy the "God's Plan" argument. I'm not sure where that leaves any of us, but, if the past week I've spent in Jersey is any indication, we can take solace in the fact that Hayden spent his 21 years living life to the fullest.

Anonymous said...

Life is precious and can be taken away from us at any given moment. The uncertainty of life is often what makes it so beautiful, or sad. I was reminded of this on Sunday when I found out my cousin Hayden had so suddenly passed away, of causes that seem to be related to heart failure. It was tragic, and completely unexpected. Why God called for Hayden at such a young age makes little sense to me, but I have faith that it is for reasons beyond my understanding.

Hayden was due to leave for Europe last night. In truth, I think he is there right now. They say he could talk his way out of anything, perhaps even Heaven. I met many of his friends on Tuesday, and was overwhelmed by the amount of love that Hayden had created in others and the amount that others had received simply by being his friend. His closest friends loved him so much, and for good reason. As his cousin, Hayden made me laugh, he made me think, he made me smile. I love all of my cousins dearly, and never could have forseen the hurt and sadness that this loss would bring. No one could imagine. But it is real.

With that said, I feel it is important to not grieve, but simply to remember, and smile and feel good about who his was and what he did for us during his short time with us. His laughter and goodness remain, and right now his friends are experiencing Europe with him because he is there. He is alive. I write this as a bit of personal reflection, but also to remind anyone out there that life is meant to be lived. Do not wait to tell that one person how much you love them. Do not wait to travel and see the world. Don't wait for something to happen to you. Make it happen. Live your life with courage, without fear, and remember to smile because thats what Hayden would want you to do.

Anonymous said...

I was so sad to hear about the death of Hayden. He was a student in my Probability class. It is really tragic when such a young and full of life person dies. Hayden's family and loved ones are in my thoughts.

Prof. Albin

Anonymous said...

ha its almost his birthday in an hour...i wonder how hes doing up there. he was a great guy and it still doesnt feel right to me that he's gone. i just don't understand how someone with such great potential and such a big heart was taken away so young....

-Mike Migliore

Anonymous said...

i have known him all my life because he was my brother my pride the person i looked up to. yah i know he didnt know his own strength when it came to wrestling with me but i really miss him. he was a very fun brother. he took me on bike rides, trips to near by parks and he loved playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl. every time i play and im versing a cpu Snake(a character in the game) i think of him as playing with me while hes up there with his own enhanced wii and i bet hes constantly making it better.

Scott Rosenstein