Poignant piece. The ache never fully goes away. Yizkor on Pesach was a wise decision of our rabbinic forebears. We feel the presence...and the loss...of our dear ones most keenly on this festival.Indeed, I felt the presence and the loss intensely today...
This morning, having made it uptown with time for a leisurely walk from the bus stop to the synagogue, I took this photo along the way:
The morning came full circle when, during the Yizkor portion of the service, the rabbi read "We Remember Them," the well known poem by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer:
At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.Today, a day truly marked by the opening of the buds and the rebirth of spring, did I feel intensely the presence and the loss of so many, but none more keenly than my mom's. Indeed, it is her presence and her loss that live in me, each and every day, from one spring to the next, from season to season for all time.
When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share, we remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs, we remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as we remember them.
