179 - Unveiling

There is something so right about the custom of waiting a year to dedicate a gravestone. A year ago, I received word of the death of the husband of a close cyberfriend. It had been expected. But the pain of its reality vibrated the airwaves as she wrote her sorrow. We have been writing and instant messaging all this past year. I have been privileged to listen as she gathered her life and her children’s lives and went about the tasks of living and recovering. What strength and courage! And so she wrote me about this milestone on her path of grieving and adjusting and continuing.

“We had the unveiling on Sunday. I think the anticipation was worse than the actual thing. It was very lovely. We read four psalms, then dedicated the memorial, and then Rebecca read your psalm before we recited the kaddish and closing prayers. We spent the afternoon with friends and some family. We decided that an open house was the best way to get on with the rest of the day. I am very glad we did that. I know, Sandor would not want us to stop living. It was nice to have the house filled with friends and put some closure on the year’s end. Oh, Rebecca sounded shofar at the end. She is so connected to her Father when she does. Of course, I cried!!!!”

One Hundred Seventy-Nine

Unveiling

The light of memory glistens
As I offer You my tears;
Here, for healing’s sake, upon this stone,
I bring my store of remembrance.

You comfort me as I trace the words,
The name of blessed memory;
The stone warms beneath my touch,
As my grief has eased from its first cold reality.

You comfort me in this resting place,
You ease my pain with bright recall;
You give me mourning and release,
You hear the whispers of my heart.