It is hard for me to believe that it is already your seventh yahrtzeit. It feels like you just left this world. The pain of your physical absence is so deep.
I think a lot about you and Tatty, especially each Shabbos. I always sing Tatty’s favorite Friday night zemiros “Meein Olam Haba.” I sing for a while, because it is hard for me to stop. I feel such a strong connection to Tatty as I sing his song. This brings me to think more about you as well. I can never thank you and Tatty enough for being the amazing parents that you were to me and Pupi. You both gave and gave to us and never stopped giving. You gave us endless spiritual guidance and of course you took care of us physically as well.
In addition to all this, you both modeled and exemplified the important mitzvos of chesed and tzedakah. I remember vividly how you put large sums of money in all the tzedakah envelopes that you received in the mail. You never checked who sent them, because you felt that it must be a good cause and if you got this request, someone must have been in dire straits and you had to trust your instinct.
As I think about you each Shabbos, I always remember how you honored your parents. I tried to emulate you and so I became very close to your parents. You always encouraged me to help Omi on Yom Kippur after she had a stroke. Sadly, she was paralyzed on her right side but at least she had her speech and it was great to be able to talk to her. I helped her eat every ten minutes, and although it was sad to see her this way, I tried to create great joy for her. When she smiled at me, I was beyond joyous. I realized then that she gave you the inner strength to face the many challenges you faced in life.
Mommy, you taught me that resilience is one of the most important words in the dictionary. Therefore, when I face any challenge in life that Hashem in His kindness gives me, I try to tap into that resilience as well. It is almost magical as I am full of acceptance to whatever Hashem metes out to me.
Of course, now my main wish is that you daven for Klal Yisrael to experience lasting peace in Israel and the whole world and of course to daven for your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I also hope you are reaping much nachas from your holy place in Gan Eden.
This gives me some solace in your physical absence. And of course, I hope you are always resting in peace.
With much love, Razey