Honestly, folks, I do not know where to begin. The last few months began a period of tremendous change, all—encompassing change, overwhelming transitions and tasks. Phone call after phone call, fax after fax to deal with the end of my mother’s life and the final vestiges of what made it hers. So many calls that even with notes I could barely recall to whom I spoke and what was said. I was dealing with cognitive over-load. Things are still getting sorted out. Then, there is the apartment. You don’t really feel the impact of a loss until you enter … Continue reading →

My mother’s funeral was on Sunday. By the time we arrived to the cemetery my mind was both blank and racing. I had preplanned everything even before my mother came back to New York. I found her a plot in the same cemetery as her parents. I prepaid for the funeral home. It was all in place. I can’t tell you how many times I called the funeral home and told them to be prepared, she was coming. Despite pneumonia, allergies, shingles, and Covid, she fooled us every time. We thought we had it all figured out but we never … Continue reading →

S.Kalish/The Green-Wood Cemetery The Talmud writes, “It is a good sign for one who passes away on the eve of Shabbat.” On the most simple level this is because they enter Shabbat, a true day of rest, shortly after their passing. The holy Shabbat is a day of rest not only for those who observe it on this physical realm, but also for the souls in the hereafter. Souls that are being cleansed of their sins in Gehinnom are relieved of this painful process for the duration of Shabbat, free to experience the Shabbat rest. One who passes away on … Continue reading →

      Mother: I barely call or speak to my mother at this time. My brain can’t fit in any more information, however, since I last saw you, here, the Hospice social worker who visits my mother, reported that Candy the aide had told her that there are days when my mother doesn’t sleep some nights. This reinforces my decision for fighting for the two-twelve-hours shifts so that someone would be working during the night. It is a pattern of two nights without sleep. She, Val, also reported that my mother, who is bedridden and barely can sit up, … Continue reading →