In Passing

my father just passed. in his nineties, he took his last breath, at home, in a room with his loving wife, some of his children, a grandson and his caretaker. he apparently decided it was his time to go. while it was sad to see a loved one passing, there was a consensus that he had a great life. he was able to be a loving husband, a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. he was honored to serve his country in the korean war. he enjoyed a middle class life in which he could own and home and afford to send his children to college. he was happy to have a job that he worked all the way until retirement. he was fortunate to be part of a generation that included a wonderful extended family. he enjoyed having friendships with some lasting over one half of a century. he was fortunate to have good medical care and doctors who helped him battle through three episodes of cancer. he is a testament to those with cancer as he survived and enjoyed life for almost 25 years after the initial diagnosis. he was blessed to have wonderful caretakers who helped him as he struggled through his battle with alzheimers.

there is much to learn from my father. he worked hard, he loved both his country and the state of israel, and he focused on his family and raising his children with religion in their life. he loved his wife for sixty-six years. he was always a joker and was more than willing to be the straight man if it could yield a laugh. he was honest and was always with good intentions.

in return, in his time of need, his family devoted their efforts to make sure that he lived out his life with the best possible care which allowed him to remain in his home- of over a half century- to pass. he is someone who will be truly missed by many. he was unique and open minded. because of our love for him, the family we often endured his espousing of his “issues” and “problems”. he was entitled to have his moments.

he was and will be a memory and a blessing for many. others can learn much from how he lived his life.

be well!!