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June 06, 2005
Seraphic Grave
Yesterday, Karen and I visited Ariel's kever. We go about once a month. Karen spritzes the matzevah with liquid soap; she meticulously wipes the headstone clean of dirt and grime. We pray and cry and hold one another. A voice inside my head reminds me that we are forever without Ariel. Forever is a long time. Or maybe it's not as long as I think. But this is our life and nothing can change it.
"If I die before you," I say to Karen, "bury me next to Ariel. Don't let anybody ship me to Israel."
Karen nods, she knows.
Sometimes I feel like lying down next to Ariel's grave and...well, just staying there.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at June 6, 2005 11:00 AM
Comments
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1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
With nothing to say
But wanting not to run away
We are here to tell you
We are here
By expressing your pain
You allow us to remain
With you in silence
We are here
In our silence is wisdom
The wisdom of silence
If only because
We are here
Posted by: neil fleischmann at June 6, 2005 11:07 PM
dear karen and robert ...
of the many things you have said so very beautifully and poignantly, ... this one really pierced my heart ... I too clean Ben's headstone ...
sincerely, Alan
father of Benjamin z"l, kimberly(Juris Doctor) and Zac (officially a senior TG)
Posted by: alan at June 7, 2005 03:39 AM
Our own mortality pales in comparison to the loss of our brave children. After witnessing the struggles that my son Sammy courageously endured from age 3 to almost six fighting cancer, I don't fear my own death. On Karen's wishes on burial beside Ariel...Alisa and I already bought plots on either side of Sam. Small details in the big picture.
Posted by: Rick at June 7, 2005 08:02 AM
Reminds me of watching my 80 year old Bubbe get on her hands and knees to scrape the dirt away from my Saba's (z"l) grave.
Posted by: Anon at July 8, 2005 03:13 PM