Rena and I went to visit Allen today. He's getting more and more anxious to be away. There was a misunderstanding with one of the caregivers about his medication that I was able to clear up for him. So I got him settled down and we had a nice visit.
While there, I talked with his eldest child on the phone. She'll be coming into Sacramento on the 25th, and I'll pick her up at the airport, bring her home to the family home so she can take the Chevy back to the airport to pick up her brother and two of his children who will be coming in later that day.
Then Sunday will be the unveiling of Helen's headstone, and Allen will depart for the East with his son and grandchildren.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Jewish customs of mourning, I'll give a brief explanation here. The first seven days are called Shiva, and the first 30 days are called Sheloshim. The headstone may be emplaced as soon as the ground has settled at the gravesite, but some observances say wait 6 to 12 months. It is the custom, at some later date, to drape the headstone with a cloth, recite appropriate prayers and selected Psalms, then a member of the family removes the cloth, and the leader of the service (may or may not be a Rabbi) reads the inscription and recites a memorial prayer, and brief eulogy. There are variations to this practice among the various observances of Judaism, and variations between Azkenanzim and Sephardim.
This is a custom among most Jews, but there is no biblical or rabbinical law to do so.
So a week from today (actually it's now yesterday), my friend will be gone. I'll miss our visits, but I know he'll be much happier with family nearby.
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Rena and I went to the lighting of the Grand Menorah on the Capitol steps. This is actually the third night, but since the first night was Friday, the first lighting was held in the morning, and as I reported, the Governor lit the first light. We lit our menorot after we got home. Again, the front window was like a beacon with three menorot shining in the darkness.
It was cold downtown. Much cooler than where I live. But downtown is between the confluence of two rivers, and a breeze came up while we were waiting. The mayor came and made a beautiful speech, as she has done in past years. She also passed out two $1.00 bills to every child who attended. One bill was for charity, and the other bill, she said, was for as much candy as they could buy. Rena put one of the bills in my pushke (charity box), and plans to save the other dollar for whatever it is she's saving for.
When we got back, I watched a bit of TV while Rena played on the puter, and that was pretty much our day.
I still have over 90 emails waiting for me, so if I don't make comments, it's not because I'm not reading, but if I make comments I'll NEVER get through all of them.
So, Happy Holidays, everyone.