We buried a friend today. Michael was 44 years old. His 3 children are the ages of our 3 children. And, I miss him. First I want to say- Cancer sucks. It simply does. It robs people of time together. Still, through cancer, Michael taught me and other so much. He took the time to be Dad during his last days. He took the time to be Miriam's partner. And amazingly, he took the time to be friend.
I was just rereading my blurb for Kedoshim, and it made me think of him. Michael was always the one with a smile. He sought to live a holy life and he succeeded. He taught through action, not only his children, but everyone around him. He emulated God's actions by being present in this world up to the very end.
Tonight, at his home, Michael's eldest daughter handed me a homemade business card. She, along with friends (Her business partners whom she informed me are not mourners) are knitting to raise money for cancer research. All proceeds from their sales will go to the Israel Cancer Research Fund. She's going to make sure they cure cancer in her lifetime. She is doing this not out of anger at losing her family, but inspiration for a life lived through action, a life lived by her father the mentsch, who believed that if you believed in something you did more than write a check, you devoted your self to that thing. It's a lesson we all could learn.
Michael did this with so much. He made sure to share his thoughts, hopes, and dreams with Miriam and the children. In the future, while there will always be a hole, they will not have to wonder what their father would have said. He has told them already. His physical presence is gone, but his influence will be with us always.
