Darlings, PeaceBang is in mourning.
See you soon.
And if any of you live in Palm Beach, Florida or close by, I would be happy to accept offers for home hospitality on Sunday and Monday night. I will be in town for the funeral of my beloved Uncle Dick.
He was my daddy’s big brother. After my dad died in 1983, Uncle Dick was like a father to us. A commanding presence, a huge heart, a networker par excellence (if you wonder where I get the ability to connect people, it’s from the Weinstein Uncles, who instilled in me a powerful sense of the importance of putting people who should know each other in the same room together, or on the phone). The last time we talked, he wanted to hear all about this blog and thought it was fascinating. He always told me that I had an obligation to extend my gifts as far afield as they could go, and to challenge myself not to stay sheltered in the parish but to serve as broadly as I could. He was a constant, tireless cheerleader and advisor for my life, a rescuer many times, and devoted to his family with every breath he took.
He suffered a massive stroke the other night after a lovely evening of dinner and the opera with a female friend (his beautiful wife, my Aunt Pearl, died two years ago). He was just starting to transition into the territory of old age at the age of 86, and beginning to wonder about the future and coming frailty.
A mighty redwood has fallen in the forest. He was truly of the Greatest Generation, an Army officer with a distinguished career, an attorney, and a conservationist with long service to The Nature Conservancy.
He was always impeccably dressed, elegantly mannered and carried himself with the greatest dignity. He was a faithful Jew and believer in Micah’s response to the question, “What doth the LORD require of thee?”
I will miss him. I am so lucky to have had him in my life.
B’shalom, Uncle Dick
What a lovely tribute.
I am so sorry.
Thoughts and prayers go with you. May his memory be a blessing.
Our hearts and minds are with you. Be gentle with yourself. Take the time you need. And know you are loved.
I hope the travel plans work out and you get to be fully present for your Uncle Dick on Monday. I also hope you get a chance to speak at his service, because his family and friends would be so comforted and happy to hear what you have to say.
A big loss for you, alas. Sending love…
God be with you and may his memory continue to be a blessing.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Praying for the Holy Spirit’s sustaining presence with you as you grieve–and celebrate a life well lived.
Traveling mercies.
Hamalcom yenachem etchem b’toch she’ar aveilei tzion v’yerushalayim. [May God comfort you, together with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.]
Prayers surround you in your loss, and the embrace of the Spirit be yours.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
My prayers are with you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
May his memory be a blessing, and may he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Prayers for peace for you and your family, and prayers of thanksgiving for your uncle who walked through the valley with the Good Shephard.
Memory eternal.
Prayers for you, your family and all who mourn.
Praying for you and your family.
What a wonderful, moving tribute. I pray that God’s presence will be palpable for you as you mourn.
I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts & prayers. May he rest in peace.
What a beautiful tribute. Blessings to you & all your family as you navigate the shoals of grief and transition. Traveling mercies – kel
Holding you and yours in prayer.
Deepest sympathy to you. Your words, a beautiful tribute, share your pain in such a moving way. Blessings.
A lovely tribute to a wonderful man, who led a good life and died a good death. May his memory be for a blessing.