In the prayer book Kol Haneshama, the official prayer book for Reconstructing Judaism, the introduction to the Mourner's Kaddish (a prayer we say honoring those who have passed away) reads,
Thank you for this. When my dad died in 1987, I was 18, and not a day goes by when I don't remember him. We had a lot of differences - different politics, and I would even say some different starting assumptions about the world. But he was the person who made me feel safest in the world when I was a child. His memory has been a blessing over the years. Even though - more than three decades on - I still ache over his absence. I'm glad that Richard lives on in your heart and mind and that you talk with him from time to time. May his memory and your mom's bring blessings always.
This is so beautiful, thank you so much for this vulnerable share, Rabbi. I first learned about you on Twitter, when you were saying Kaddish for your mom during covid quarantine, and you gathered a daily online minyan. Really tender and potent. May your beloveds’ memories be for deep blessings.
When my mom passed in 2019, it felt as if a part of me passed with her; while we didn't always have the best relationship, she was my main parent, and she loved me very much. I feel that my mom gave me leftover grief from when she lost her mom at a young age.
On a happier note, I find immense comfort in dead parent jokes. It's certainly an experience being an adult orphan (my dad is also gone, completely separate story) in my mid-30s.
Thank you for this. When my dad died in 1987, I was 18, and not a day goes by when I don't remember him. We had a lot of differences - different politics, and I would even say some different starting assumptions about the world. But he was the person who made me feel safest in the world when I was a child. His memory has been a blessing over the years. Even though - more than three decades on - I still ache over his absence. I'm glad that Richard lives on in your heart and mind and that you talk with him from time to time. May his memory and your mom's bring blessings always.
Thank you for sharing this with me. See you soon
This is so beautiful, thank you so much for this vulnerable share, Rabbi. I first learned about you on Twitter, when you were saying Kaddish for your mom during covid quarantine, and you gathered a daily online minyan. Really tender and potent. May your beloveds’ memories be for deep blessings.
When my mom passed in 2019, it felt as if a part of me passed with her; while we didn't always have the best relationship, she was my main parent, and she loved me very much. I feel that my mom gave me leftover grief from when she lost her mom at a young age.
On a happier note, I find immense comfort in dead parent jokes. It's certainly an experience being an adult orphan (my dad is also gone, completely separate story) in my mid-30s.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
This was helpful. Thank you.
May Richard's and your mother's memories forever be for blessings.