My Dearest Daddy,
Each year at the full moon of August, I light your yahrzeit candle and remember the moon as I saw it leaving the hospital the night of your death. It was thirteen years ago on the 14th of Av. Why does it seem like only yesterday?
There are so many changes everywhere. Would you have agreed to carry a cell phone or read from a kindle? I know you would have been furious that they closed downtown streets this week for the filming of Batman. “What about the businesses”, you would have complained.
People here remember you. They ask, “Which one was your father?” At which point I see you happily sharing one desk in your office at NRM with your brothers Sam and Jason. I answer, “Howard.” They nod, “What a good man.” I get a little choked up and nod in return.
There is a thing on the computer called facebook. It’s a way to connect with people all over the world. There is a group on it called “friends of NRM” and it has only 300 members!
You would kvell at how your family has grown. Bob has enough grandchildren to make up not one but two baseball teams! Even his youngest daughter, little Racheli, has two children of her own.
Believe it or not, I am a Bubbe. Eli is married and has two little girls who call me Bubbe. I write a Bubbe Wisdom column for the Chronicle and a Bubbe Page about my adventures with Maya and Hailey.
I try with all of my heart and soul to live in the shadow of your selfless generosity, your flawless reputation and your commitment to Zionism. I’m sad that Steve and his family never got to know you but I often quote your wisdom to give they the most minute sense of your overflowing chesed.
I am eternally grateful that I come from the lineage that includes you as my father. I love you more than anything.
Until the coming of the Messiah,
Weezie
Shalom
On public radio last night, I heard about how this woman has her mom and grandmother live on through a one-woman play that she does. Very funny, but also moving.
http://mamajuggs.com/