Dear Menachem, Julie, and children, We send you our condolences on the tragic loss of Leesa z"l. We heard you speak about her at the funeral, how she influenced you so strongly. Leesa was a special strong person--very bright, competent, vital, and very giving. For us, the kehila, the chug, the book club , her passing is also a great loss. We will all miss her very much. Once , when we would go to shul on Shabbat morning, I would almost always see Leesa and Julie sitting over to the right, smiling, lookiing shabbasdik. And after the Tfila we would often exchange a few words and good wishes. I remember that after Leesa's bone marrow procedure, she was looking so good. She looked so lovely in her new clothes. When I complimented her on the way she looked, she was so happy. She had the warmest smile, so honest. Some day when we go back to the Bet Knesset, I"ll miss seeing Leesa there. But i know that the loss I feel will be multiplied thousands of times over by what you feel. Dear Menachem, Julie, and children, our hearts are with you. Your nechama in part will be in watching your children and grandchildren grow and develop knowing that Leesa was and remains so instrumental in their becoming good Jews and fine human beings. תנצב"ה Sincerely, Shoshana and Yisrael Rich
Thank you so much, Judy. We were so looking forward to that. What's that line by Whittier (I had to look up the line and the author):
John Greenleaf Whittier For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.
On the other hand, we did get some time to get to know each other after our "chance" meeting--my "take" on life is that there is no such thing as "chance" in life. I look forward to being a part of your new lives here.