I am the fourth, and youngest, daughter of a great man. This man, gifted with brilliance, was a man of accomplishment, of prestige, and of repute. A man whose versatile vernacular commanded audiences spanning the East and West. A man whose genius rivals only his kindness, the magnitude of which warms the hearts of not only those under his wing, but of those who merely pass by his presence.

So with his abrupt and sudden death my entire life was thrown into a dark abyss. His passing revealed a level of despair I had only read about in novels, and I was left mercilessly shaken. Alone in the dark, I stumbled on a path so unclear towards a light so feeble. Stark was the contrast from my previous life to the one I was bound to live.

After such a loss it is difficult to assess what to do next. Time seemed to be at a standstill and things that previously seemed to be of utmost importance carried no weight at all. I began to reevaluate my position in life and what meaning my day to day life provided. Consequently, many things simply fell off— I left my job teaching full time ballet, for I was unable to carry on such a workload. I ended a relationship with my longtime sweetheart and changed my place of residence to rid myself of constant reminders. My entire life had deviated from the course I had been on since childhood and about-faced right in front of my eyes.

As a result, I delved inward. I began to search for a purpose in life that was not tied to anyone or anything, and I yearned for something that would fulfill my soul at the core. Perhaps due to the deep chasm created by the void I felt from losing someone so close to me, I ached for something more. By focusing on my inner being I began to learn about things that were far greater in lasting power than outward success, approval from others, or petty social jealousies or insecurities. In my utter self-absorption after my father’s passing (centering on “why me”), my studies on subjects of personal growth provided me with a stepping stone towards the happiness I never thought I would find. In my readings I noticed that those I’d admired most were not only successful in the material sense, but displayed characteristics that were of major significance in creating a person of consequence— namely, the characteristics of dignity, honor, strength, kindness, and honesty— and those ingredients, though satisfactory, needed one other catalyst to propel them to a new level.

Selflessness.

Having little concern for oneself and high regard for others rouses in us our highest form, for when we connect with people and offer ourselves to those in need, we blossom in our hearts, and the flowering of our spirit begins.

Such is the caliber of my Father, the passing of whom has awakened in me a change only he could have brought about, his hand ever so gently guiding me, the constant twinkle in his eye reassuring me that all is well, his example influencing my every move, helping me to slowly become the best version of myself. And by doing that, by becoming the best version of ourselves, are we not, ultimately, helping others do the same? I will forever be grateful for the gift of being my father’s daughter, and for the lessons he continuously bestows upon me. He taught me, in his stern and somber, yet mischievous and childlike, way, the importance of dignity and strength of character. He is the one that instilled in me the love of knowledge, the one who, alongside my mother, introduced to me the great books and thinkers of the past. But, as with many things, it was only after his passing that I really understood the magnitude of his words and his example. His essence is my essence, and anything I do that carries with it any weight is dedicated to him. His accomplishments, his surreal power in overcoming immense obstacles, and his kind kind heart, all give me strength. I feel peace and vitality when I look at his pictures, as though there is a fortress around me where I can be touched by nothing. And today, on his birthday, I think of him in even greater depth than I do on other days. What a great gift I have been given in this life, to be his daughter. I truly hope and pray that I live up to such a tremendous privilege. My father. I love you doesn’t even begin to capture it.

To papa, forever.

With his best friend, fellow mathematician Dr. Alexander Dranishnikov.

As a boy with his mother and father, Tbilisi, Georgia — As a boy with his mother and father, *Tbilisi, Georgia*

Dr. Alexander Chigogidze during his travels.

Final resting place, with his father and mother, Tbilisi, Georgia. — Final resting place, with his father and mother, *Tbilisi, Georgia.*

To Papa, Forever.