Baruch Dayan HaEmet
My grandfather (Dad's father) passed away Friday night in a hotel hot tub while vacationing in CA. The funeral is later on this week, because California is requiring an autopsy & Grandma doesn't have the strength to fight it. It'll be in New York & I'm not going to be able to go. It's a long trip, and not cheap. I'll visit him at the cemetary when I'm in the States for Passover. Everyone seems to be holding up pretty well considering. Grandma's heading to NY tomorrow to be with her boys.
Dad emailed me a couple of times yesterday saying to call, that it was important. I called when Shabbat ended in NY, and he'd left the office wasn't yet home. I left voicemail, and this morning after davening an office person told me to call, because he'd left a message with the NY ofice. I called, it was 1 AM EST, but he was up, and his gf was over. He gave me the news and we chatted for a bit, with lots of long pauses.
Tonight I called again, this time at his brother's place. Jess (cousin) wasn't around, but I spoke to Charles & Dad. I gave them as many Hebrew names as I could. And the rosh yeshiva had advised that I ask if they want me to say Kaddish. I asked and they liked the idea. Now I actually have to get up for minyan in the morning.
Grandma seemed remarkably calm when I called. We had a very nice chat actually, and talked very little about Grandpa. I think everyone needs time to adjust to the new reality, accept the loss. It came quite suddenly.
Dad emailed me a couple of times yesterday saying to call, that it was important. I called when Shabbat ended in NY, and he'd left the office wasn't yet home. I left voicemail, and this morning after davening an office person told me to call, because he'd left a message with the NY ofice. I called, it was 1 AM EST, but he was up, and his gf was over. He gave me the news and we chatted for a bit, with lots of long pauses.
Tonight I called again, this time at his brother's place. Jess (cousin) wasn't around, but I spoke to Charles & Dad. I gave them as many Hebrew names as I could. And the rosh yeshiva had advised that I ask if they want me to say Kaddish. I asked and they liked the idea. Now I actually have to get up for minyan in the morning.
Grandma seemed remarkably calm when I called. We had a very nice chat actually, and talked very little about Grandpa. I think everyone needs time to adjust to the new reality, accept the loss. It came quite suddenly.