147 - Contemplating Death

My father’s yahrtzeit was Tuesday. I always know how long it has been since hedied because I know my daughter’s age; he missed meeting her by 2-¹⁄₂ months. So instead,she is his namesake. She is Eve-Gerri: Eve for my grandmother Ernestine, Gerri for my dadGerald. And in Hebrew, Chava-Gevurah, "Life and Strength;" my it alwaysbe so. E.G. and my husband, Reid and I have been in Washington, DC this week. Althoughshe’s nearly 22 and a politics major, she’d never been to the "seat of power."Or the Smithsonian or the US Holocaust Memorial or the Vietnam Wall. How moving it is tosee it with her, to share her reactions and observations. I think Daddy would have _kvelled_over this first grandchild. The sorrow of what he missed mingles with the sweetness of mygrown-up daughter.

One Hundred Forty-Seven

Contemplating Death

When I die
I move into Your space, Holy One;
Light and substance
Blend into Your perfect shalom.

And my dear ones
Speak my name with Your Name,
Remembering and reflecting
As their tears turn to jewels.