Unveiling

I believe this is a uniquely Jewish ritual.  Several months after the funeral, family and friends gather at the cemetery to unveil the newly-erected gravestone.  Prayers are recited and the deceased is memorialized.  It is a somber occasion. 

My friend Bonnie's father passed away last September. Drew and I were unable to attend the funeral, so when Bonnie asked us to attend the unveiling we had to say yes.

Bonnie and her nephew are the only members of her immediate family who still live in New York, and Josh wasn't able to come because of his work schedule. Her mother lives in Florida, her sister and brother-in-law in Atlanta, her brother in California. They, as well as her aunt and cousin from New Jersey, were the only family members. The rest of our small party was made up of Bonnie's closest friends.
Very hot day today, but there was a cool breeze blowing at the cemetery. The Rabbi was a baby boomer, gray haired but wearing a pony tail. He didn't actually recite The Dash but he alluded to it.

Bonnie's father was in his 90's, had been married to Bonnie's mother for over 60 years, when he died. He was a WWII vet and POW, a husband, father and grandfather. He had a long, full life.


Afterwards we wound up having lunch in a diner. It was a pleasant afternoon.
But ....


You know how when you're young and single and you go to a friend's wedding, how you wonder if your turn is next?




It's the same on the other end of the spectrum, too.