The Spa

Zoya’s favorite time of the week, the Spa Time. Zoya cherished her spa time. Initially, there were tears, but the warm, soapy water brought her comfort, and she would often drift into sleep in the midst of her spa session. With the support of the NICU care team, Zoya's parents actively engaged in giving her weekly baths, a practice she adored. Zoya particularly enjoyed it when her papa combed her hair; the soothing ritual never failed to lull her into a peaceful slumber.

The Bows

Zoya became a fashion star at the Johns Hopkins Hospital NICU. She always dressed up in outfits that matched perfectly, even her linens matched her clothes. Zoya's NICU closet was very well-organized, with her clothes and linens labeled. Zoya's mamma made sure she wore a bow that looked nice with her outfit. And just in case Zoya needed a quick change, there was always an "emergency bow" in her crib, ready to make her look even more adorable

The dresses

Zoya loved wearing her mamma's dresses from when she was Zoya's age. Zoya's grandma had saved her mamma's dresses so that one day her granddaughter could wear them. Zoya wore both of these dresses on two of her big days.

The orange dress was worn when she was first extubated on November 16th, and the blue dress was worn on her last extubation on January 5th.

The Chooriyan

Zoya's papa brought many "chooriyan" for her from Pakistan, each in different colors so that Zoya could pair them with various outfits. These bangles looked adorable on Zoya's chubby little wrists.

the mobile

Zoya had a NICU mobile attached to her crib, which she loved looking at when feeling bored. The black and white prints on the wings were attractive enough to capture Zoya's attention. The soothing music played by the mobile often helped her sleep soundly, sometimes to the extent that she wouldn't even glance at her mamma and papa when the mobile was in motion

The Quran Recitation

Every day, Zoya's mamma would recite Surah-e-Fatiha to her. Zoya, with great focus and deep interest, would listen intently. This simple yet meaningful ritual became a special time for mother and daughter, strengthening their bond through the soothing verses and shared moments of connection.

The Room

Zoya's mamma and papa decorated Zoya's room with so much love. The closet is filled with all the clothes and presents Zoya received at the baby shower and the gifts everyone sent from Pakistan. The basement is full of all her accessories that she would use when she was older.

There is a wall in Zoya's room that her mamma called "an acne wall." Zoya's papa decorated this wall with so much love and apparently used all the stickers on just one wall; The wall is the highlight of the room. Zoya's room is right next to her mamma and papa’s, and we never turn the lights off at night. The room is as bright as Zoya was.

more facts

  • Zoya's home closet is filled with cute outfits from her baby shower, each altered by her loving grandma to fit around the breathing tube. Zoya was able to wear these outfits, creating heartwarming moments despite the medical challenges, and the NICU staff was thoroughly impressed with the grandmother's exceptional sewing skills.

  • Zoya’s favorite Disney princess is Elsa. How do we know that? "Let it Go" is the song Zoya enjoyed the most during baths. As soon as the song starts playing, Zoya would become calm, listening to it and savoring her special spa time. It was a beautiful sight. For the holidays, Zoya’s papa picked up an Elsa doll for Zoya.

  • Zoya was highly observant of her surroundings. With her big, beautiful eyes, she would attentively follow you around the room. Her NICU care team fondly appreciated Zoya's way of tracking them, suggesting that she wanted to be an "informed patient." Zoya received compliments such as "People pay for their eyelashes to look like this," "I wish my eyebrows were as dark as yours," and "Look at you staring at me with those owl eyes."

  • Zoya sure was a tough cookie when it came to putting the breathing tube in and out several times, going to the OR for bronchoscopy, lying flat for the multiple MRIs she underwent, the CT scan, and vaccinations. But, oh boy, when it's about checking her temperature with a thermometer, that is when she would let out a cry.

  • Zoya used to love video calling, mainly with her grandparents, but it was very evident that she was now trying to figure out where the voices were coming from. Zoya used to chat with her grandma in Pakistan, her uncle, and her aunties. Zoya wanted to be connected with everyone, and she surely enjoyed her screen time.

  • Zoya was such a simple baby. Just swaddle her, and she'd peacefully drift off to sleep, even with all the beeping around her. We used to think, "It will be so wonderful when Zoya comes home. No more worrying about vacuuming or speaking loudly."

  • On Zoya's last day with us, she looked so peaceful in her mamma's blue and white dress. It was the very first time she wore those colors, resembling an angel. The incredible serenity we observed on Zoya's face was truly remarkable, and, in a way, it brought us comfort to see that she felt at ease. After all, that is what we have always wished for her.

  • Zoya's grave has a little bow, just like the ones she loved wearing. This small detail symbolizes the enduring essence of her innocence and charm. It's a sweet tribute, reminding us of the beauty she brought into the world and the lasting connection to her spirit.