I hate the lack of control over my body’s physical reaction to pain—not the pain of a torn meniscus or a bumped shoulder, but pain that makes you sick to your stomach, changes your breathing pattern and makes you wish your heart was numb to all feelings

Text message: Allen Yekikian died in a car accident. What? This can’t be real. Stealthily check my Facebook during a meeting and see confirmation via the Asbarez post.

BY MELODY NAZARIAN
She wore white on her wedding day
And gleamed from head to toe
And though I wasn’t present there
I could still see the glow.
The way she peered into her Allen’s eyes
She couldn’t hide her awe if she tried
They were married in August in Armenia,
With smiles they couldn’t hide.
That night she illuminated like an angel
Not knowing [...]

It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this. This wasn’t how it was scripted.

Tribute at St.  Mary’s church for Allen Yekikian and Sosé Thomassian

I haven’t even gotten to write the second one, and now I’m compelled to write the “third” tribute/testimonial/memorial of this year.

Sose and Allen were not of our world as we know it.

The news hit me in the gut… “Our beloved Allen is gone, Sose is in a coma.”

I turned 30 earlier this year. Many people mark that milestone as the last of their youth, and first of their old age, but to me, it didn’t matter much. I felt the same on my last day at 29 as I did on my first day at 30.

We mourn the deaths of Asbarez collaborator and former Assistant Editor of the English Section, Allen Yekikian and his wife, Sose Thomassian who were in a car accident on Friday en route from Armenia to Georgia. The entire editorial board, staff and management of Asbarez would like to offer their condolences to the Yekikian and [...]

The destination is elusive because it’s so far out of the way. There are no scheduled flights, and visitors have to arrive overland. Starting from Yerevan, this adds one day of travel each way.

First-time travelers to Armenia seem to always end up at Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Geghard, and Garni.

The Syunik Region of Armenia covers a vast expanse that stretches from Spandarian Reservoir, near the town of Sisian, all the way south to the Iran border.

The Los Angeles Times published a major feature last month on the book ‘Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide.’ The story, ‘A Fresh View on Ancient Armenia,’ included an interview with author Matthew Karanian.