Monday, May 06, 2013

Two Funerals and a Wedding

Yes, that was yesterday.  In under twenty-four, more like fifteen hours I attendeded two funerals and a wedding.

Just after Shabbat, we got the terrible news that a neighbor's two decade fight to survive a failed liver was over.  Fourteen years ago he received a liver transplant. The doctors were amazed at how long he had survived his very precarious medical situation and numerous crises, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end...  G-d willing, bli neder, (don't consider this an oath) I'll blog about him in a few days when I can do his life and contributions justice.

Then in the morning, an sms from the Shiloh office informed us that the father of a different neighbor had passed away; the funeral was in Jerusalem.  Since my plan was to got to a wedding in Bnai Brak at night, I didn't even think I'd made the funeral, but the neighbor who was driving me called to say that since he studies regularly with the husband, we'd be leaving a couple of hours early for the wedding and going via the funeral.

There was another death announcement early afternoon that a different neighbor's brother had passed away.  How is it that after no such announcements for weeks, or was it months, there should be three in just a few hours?

It was rather surreal, dancing and singing and being so joyful after burying two very special people.  Tears of joys combined with tears of sorrow.  One should never compromise on the simcha, joy of a wedding.  A new family and new lives begin under the chuppah, marriage canopy.

May all live long, healthy, fulfilling and contributing lives...

And may the memories of the dead be blessed, yihi zichram baruch, יהי זכרם ברוך

5 comments:

rutimizrachi said...

AMEN!

The old saw "everything happens in threes" may be a bubbemeiseh, but it's stunning how often it comes true nonetheless. When three people leave the world at once, I like to imagine that they have a mission in the Supernal Realms that they can only do together.

Miriam said...

Our life cycle.. joy and sadness....... We need both to appreciate all our Brachot!

Miriam

Batya said...

Ruti, Miriam, so true.
Life goes in waves, higher, lower, more intense and quieter...

Lady-Light said...

Life is sad. I keep thinking about Evyatar Borovsky (did I remember his name correctly?), and his family, left bereft. Life is sad.

Batya said...

Yes, LL and we have to make the best of it. Lots of lemonade.