The Boob part 2

What a week! We had the funeral service on Wednesday afternoon at Platt Memorial Chapel in Voorhees. The Rabbi was terrific and we had FIVE speakers. First, Deb read the Woman of Valor poem which was beautiful. Cynthia said a few words next that were very emotional and then Scott delivered his trademark speech which was very eloquent and described Buba's life mantra, "Life is just once." It was a wonderful speech. My words were next and, although my words were rehearsed, what occurred certainly was not. After about two sentences, I heard the pitter patter of little feet coming towards me and then Elijah appeared next to me at the podium. The Rabbi moved a chair so he could stand and be seen next to me and Elijah put his hand on mine to comfort me. The audience did not see this and the feeling that came over me was incredible. Deb told me later that he just wanted to me with me when I gave my speech about Buba. The love in this 5 year old boy is amazing. I delivered my words and finished with Buba's catch phrase, "the best of the best." Candice was the last speaker and she was wonderful and emotional as well.

Before the actual start of the ceremony, the funeral director invited us to view Buba in her open casket. I've never done this before and I planned on NOT doing this for Buba. However, Elijah was 100% sure he wanted to see her and say goodbye so I decided, "if Elijah is not freaked out, then I can do this too." I went with him. He was unbelievable. He actually touched Buba's face and hands. He was not weirded out at all. In truth, she looked much better than she did in her final days. She looked beautiful.

The cemetery was very nice and the service there was short and very emotional. Everyone there had the chance to put some soil on Buba's casket before they lowered it down. Elijah did not come to the cemetery. We decided it was enough for him to be at the service and see Buba.

We spent six or so hours at Mom's house afterwards and many people came to pay their respects and talk about Buba. There was a minion service at 7pm and LOTS of food. It was very nice. Mom had decided to only sit for one day and so that was all we did. Yesterday was getting life back in order and today finishes off a busy week.... Mom starts a new job on Monday so it's a new beginning for her. Buba will be missed...she was the best of the best...

The Boob

You are smiling. Funny title to this post, I know. THE BOOB. I thought I would crack a smile right off the top since the whole point of this post is not to be funny - but certainly to be celebratory...

You see - The Boob is the nickname affectionately given by my father to my Buba Pearl. Buba Pearl is my Mom's mother. She's been here in New Jersey since my wedding in April of 1998. For the first 5 years, she lived in my old bedroom at my Mom's house. She moved into the Jewish Geriatric Home a few years back because she needed full-time care. Two days ago, Buba Pearl passed away. She was only 99 years old.

My earliest memory of Buba was in 1976. We went to visit her home in Bogota, Colombia. I went for a walk with her to the market to pick up dinner. There was a man selling chickens...LIVE chickens were running all over the place and Buba pointed to one. The man picked it up, broke it's neck, and stuffed the bird in a bloody paper bag. Four hours later, we were eating the most delicious chicken soup ever made. Nobody stepped foot in the kitchen that afternoon. It was Buba and the bird. Magic.

In 1982, we got to visit Colombia once again and I remember Buba being so happy with my Grandpa Isaac. He was sick and died a few years later. Poor Buba had lost her THIRD husband. So much tragedy. Buba marched on, however, and seemed to get stronger and wiser as the years past on. Cousin Luis was born in 1985 and Buba was there to help take care of him until she came here in 1998. More than just a great-grandmother to him.

Shortly after Buba came here, her great-granddaughter had a baby of her own, making Buba a great-great grandmother. The only one I've ever known.

For the past few years, Buba has lived just a few miles away at the Geriatric Home and Mom has gone waaaay beyond what most people would do in taking care of her. Virtually Mom's whole world outside of her grandchildren has been Buba. There's no possible way Buba would have made it this far without Mom. She should be proud.

Mom had a BBQ at her house scheduled for Sunday and decided to let it go on, even though it was scheduled to begin just six hours after she found out about her Mom. What a great and courageous decision! Some of the most important people in Mom's life were at her house by 1:00 and it was a very therapeutic and important day for her. It was a celebration of life and that's the best way to pay tribute to Buba.

So tomorrow is Buba's funeral. I am sure it will be a tough day for Mom but Raquel is coming in with Cynthia and we will all be there for her.

THE BOOB will be missed by all....I'll post more after the funeral tomorrow.

He Gave Me a Hard One

It's hot. I would say it's pea soup but I said that in a post on a hot day last summer. Ah, what the hell....it's pea soup. I feel like I should be carrying a machete with me on my walk from the train to the office to slice through the air and get to work quicker. As it is, I arrive here every morning all shiny.

So Elijah started his second year of the JCC Camps this week. It's been a fun week with the stories. Wednesday he came home with a slice of his hair missing. He said "Evan told me not to tell you what happened." Evan is one of his junior counselors. Camp called us and said that every counselor has been warned not to make jokes about cutting your hair when it's arts and crafts time. Apparently, Evan made a joke when passing out scissors to 5 year olds when he said, "It's time for a haircut everyone."

One of the players on Elijah's T-Ball team is Josh. Josh is a year younger than Elijah and his camp bunk is nearby so they see eachother often. Yesterday when Elijah came home from camp we were talking about the day.

"Did you see Josh from your T-Ball team today"

"Yes and he made me mad"

"Why?"

"He made my hand hurt."

"How did he make your hand hurt?"

"We gave eachother hi-fives."

"So you gave him a hi-five and your hand hurts???"

"He gave me a hard one."

Oh jeez. The kid is 4 years old. Elijah is a few inches taller and a self-proclaimed he-man. He beats up Jedi with his light saber and crushes weaklings while wearing his Superman cape to bed. BUT - 4 year olds who have to jump to give him hi-fives completely overtake him.