Death
I got woken today by a phone call, telling me a girl that used to work in my department in ICQ got killed in a motorcycle accident. It has been, I guess, 3 years since I last saw her... maybe a little less, but it's still not the best of ways to start the day.
So I went to the funeral. Met some people I haven't seen in years. In these types of events, I have this habit of looking at the people. Each with his or her own thoughts, and each handles himself differently. Even though eulogies were given, and the entire event was very somber and sad, I think the Jewish ceremonies are lacking in that department. The saddest funeral I've ever took part in, was of a classmate of mine. He wasn't my best friend, or even someone I took care to keep in touch with, but his funeral (and later on - his memorial services) always manage to touch me -- maybe because it's not a ritualistic service -- it has some songs he'd liked and some songs his mother likes -- and every one in the audience has his or her alone time with the song and memories. The standard ritual is saying a few verses over the fresh grave, a few verses by the rabbi, and that's about it. People are forced to pay attention all the time and have no "alone time".
In any case - it is never easy to think about someone you once knew and who is now gone. May she rest in peace and may her friends and family find solace.
So I went to the funeral. Met some people I haven't seen in years. In these types of events, I have this habit of looking at the people. Each with his or her own thoughts, and each handles himself differently. Even though eulogies were given, and the entire event was very somber and sad, I think the Jewish ceremonies are lacking in that department. The saddest funeral I've ever took part in, was of a classmate of mine. He wasn't my best friend, or even someone I took care to keep in touch with, but his funeral (and later on - his memorial services) always manage to touch me -- maybe because it's not a ritualistic service -- it has some songs he'd liked and some songs his mother likes -- and every one in the audience has his or her alone time with the song and memories. The standard ritual is saying a few verses over the fresh grave, a few verses by the rabbi, and that's about it. People are forced to pay attention all the time and have no "alone time".
In any case - it is never easy to think about someone you once knew and who is now gone. May she rest in peace and may her friends and family find solace.