To one of my oldest friends, sweet Layla, 

Nina is going to laugh when she reads this, but my first memory of us was when we were in middle school, Nina and I were in many of the same classes and she had always talked about you so much that i remember thinking gosh i gotta meet this other twin! Well one day, I ran into you in front of our PE locker room and you were the most friendly person to me and I remember thinking how good of a heart you have. Well then we got talking and you said you had a sister, Nina and it all clicked! I was like “You’re the other twin!” You laughed so hard and I was so embarrassed how it just slipped out like that haha. 
Then in high school you, Nina, Alex and I used to sit in one of our cars before school started. We normally jumped into your guys’s mustang. We met up at every break and lunch and spent so much time together. I remember you guys used to invite me over and to do stuff all the time on the weekends and majority of the time I had family events with my cousins or something, you used to get so annoyed lol. 
I have been reading what everyone has been writing about you and nothing I say here will be new. You are truly a special part 1 of 2 souls that graced this world. I am so honored and blessed to have known you and spent such pivotal years of our teenage years together. You were always such a great influence and had a very warm heart where you made us all feel loved and comfortable. 
After high school, we all went to different colleges and I was out of California for about 8 years. But the couple of times we got to meet up while i was in town, i remember it felt like we were always able to pick up where we left off. Even though sometimes it would be 2-3 years since we have seen each other. That’s rare and I hold our relationship near to my heart. 
I miss you friend and I know everyone else does too. We all have a pretty special angel guiding us from above. 

Love you always

Poonam 

Layla was one of the most selfless people I've ever known.
When Kevin and I moved in with Amy, we all went over to the house to take measurements before we started moving our furniture in.  Amy and I had a bottle of rosé we wanted to open, naturally, but no wine opener since we hadn't moved our kitchens yet. We could not figure out how to get the bottle open and struggled for a good 30-mins at least. When Layla showed up to meet us, we'd pretty much given-up and simply tried to laugh it off as something that wasn't meant to happen. Within a matter of minutes though, Layla had that bottle of rosé open by simply using a nail and pliers from Jichan's tool box. I don't even think Layla poured a glass for herself - she did it simply because she knew Amy and I wanted to toast to our new place. Also, the day we moved into that house, there was the largest bag of snacks and food from Trader Joe's waiting for us because Layla wanted to be sure that we didn't have to go out to the store after a day of moving. 
Even though it's kind of a silly story, I truly feel that it encompasses Layla's constant thoughtfulness and support for her loved ones. She always made sure, until the last day that I spoke with her, that I was doing ok. I will never forget her kindness and love, and will carry it with me forever. I promise to be selfless like Layla, sharing acts of kindness like these to those around me. It's love like Layla's that truly make this world beautiful, and ensure that she's with us forever. We love you and miss you, dear friend. Thank you for everything that you've shown and taught us. 

To my sweet friend alyal,
This year we celebrate 21 years of friendship. My friendship with you and Nina has been a huge influence on my life and in many ways has molded the person I have become. My times with the Ali-Ahmad family are treasured very deeply in my heart. I still have trauma from the time all your valuable dishes flew off the top of the car on our way to your family's cabin. 
I learned a lot from how you followed your intuition and heart's joy when you left engineering to open Beach City Food Tours. What an embodiment of who you are! You crafted your business out of your gift of creating experiences for others. And no one was surprised that it was centered around food. 
You were an epic curator of experiences. Whenever I was with you you would craft the most fun adventures and select the best food and drinks within a 60 mile radius. During our many weekend trips and sleepovers you would usually poke Nina and I to get out of the house on Saturdays and enjoy what the day had to offer us, whether that was a local farmers market or a walk through a local garden or coffee at the best little café or gelato at a local hole in the wall mom and pop shop of whom you knew their whole life story and both of their names even though you had only met them once before. You made me feel special every time I visited you. You would thoughtfully pick the activities you knew I would enjoy and they were, without fail, perfectly aligned to my interests and whims. You seemed to know people better than they knew themselves at times. 
You were serious hugger. You always meant them and I think I will always miss your hugs. I loved watching you do your Layla dance (head down full body twist). Your impressions made me belly laugh.  If I had to pick one Layla lesson, it’s to live without settling. Why eat food when you can enjoy a delicious meal? Why sit on the couch when you can go out and see what the world has to show you?
Thank you for your friendship. Love, g

Layla was one of the absolute most beautiful, sweetest, kindest, most accepting, most positive, uplifting, person I have ever met & not a day goes by that I do not think of her warmth & her smile. It is hard to believe it has been a year. Time to time I find myself going to my phone & opening my text messages with her, our last text was the Wednesday before she transitioned with her texting “love you baby any baby” which I know she meant to say love you & the babies. 

What I know about Layla is that she loves & adores her family fiercely, she is protective over her loved ones, she is open & always understanding. No matter what it was that she was going through she always is there to listen, to talk, to laugh, to share, to smile. My sweet beautiful Layla, the truth is my life & so many others is better because of you. Layla is a light, she is a shining star, she is a fighter, she is positive, open, giving, loving, inspiring, a go getter, a doer, a creator, & one of the most intelligent persons I know. 

The picture on the top left is of a gift she gave at Axel’s 1st birthday in May 2019, she came & she brought him the book “Where the Sidewalk Ends” & she hand packaged the book in her Layla so elegant & stylish way wrapped in brown paper & striped string with a hand written note “To: Baby Axel, This was my fav book as a kid. I hope you like it as much as I did. <3, Auntie Layla”. I remember with Alara in the chaos after giving birth, our friend Nikki & Layla without hesitation called me & said “we’re coming to the hospital, we’ll be there in 30 & they came. That was December 2015. That’s a picture of Alara not even 24 hours old in Layla’s arms. 

The truth is we formed a very close & special bond over the years. I am so lucky to have known Layla. 

Oh Layla we miss you terribly & deeply. You have made an impact & left a legacy. I am sending endless love, energy, & prayers to all her family, her mom, dad, twin sister, cousins, & friends.

OBITUARY

Layla Michelle Ali-Ahmad

November 3, 1987 – March 19, 2020

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary and Cedar Lawn Cemetery

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