Letter 3
By Raizy Spitzer
Dearest Surika:
Ever since you began publishing your famous
magazine, I wanted tow rite and tell you how every proud all of us
were, in regard to your monumental undertaking. I just kept putting it
off. Now, here I am, finally penning those words, I so want to impart
to you.
Surika dear, I have faithfully purchased every single
issue since its inception. Each magazine is a masterpiece; full of
inspiration and full of insight. I`ve heard from many, many people how
they found consolation and encouragement, from within those pages. I
also hear that you extend "chizuk" and comfort on a personal level, to
new mothers of children with Dow syndrome. To them, it is like oxygen
to the breathless, like water to the parched. May the Ribono Shel Olom
`bentsch` you in abundance, for this magnificent `chesed.` You give of
yourself and your expertise, in comforting families, enveloped in shock
and pain.
What really prompted me to write this letter, was the
most recent issue (#11) in which you featured your dear Mommy a`h, my
beloved aunt. Although, I`ve shed many tears while reading past issues,
with their blend of both heartwarming and poignant stories, this by
far, evoked a steady stream of tears. The beautiful photo of "Mima
Chanuka", my father`s esteemed sister, summoned a series of memories,
which I must share with you and your reading audience.
My
father, being your mother`s youngest brother, very often recounted his
stories of the past. That included the painful saga of his childhood as
a young orphan, together with his eight older siblings, bereft of both
parents. My Tatty always spoke with great reverence and admiration of
his older sisters, whose details are impossible to mention within these
lines. But, I will mention your dear Mommy now. My father spoke with
deep emotion about his beloved sister, Chanuka. He spoke of her
kindness, her selflessness, her wisdom and devotion to her young
orphaned brothers, including my father. A teenage orphan herself,
during World War 11, she shared her last crust of bread. While utterly
exhausted herself, she carried my father in her arms. On those infamous
and treacherous walks she comforted him and shielded him, like a
mother. As a newlywed and beyond, she continued her motherly care, and
welcomed him into her inviting, immaculate home. She sent food and
cakes to my father and his brothers in yeshiva, to make sure they had
adequate food, in those post war days. When she ironed their shirts,
she slipped dollar bills into the pockets; a small fortune in those
days. She looked out for their welfare, always, in all ways!! This, and
so much more, is forever etched into my father`s heart and mind.
I
imagine that as her pure "neshoma" ascended to the Heavens, her revered
parents, the zeidy R` Boruch Yida z`l and the Bubby Elka Rifka a`h were
surely present. They came to welcome their precious daughter with honor
and pride, and to escort her to her exalted place in Gan Eden, to
receive her just rewards; payments due for a lifetime of good deeds!
These memoirs do only partial justice to your mother, but for now it
must suffice.
Surika dear, you fortunately had the `zechiya` of
having your Mommy in your home, for the last pain-filled weeks of her
life, where she received the ultimate in care. She will surely be a
`melitza yeshura` for you and your beautiful family.
On a
happier note, I must compliment your write-up of Moishey`s Bar Mitzvah.
You portrayed the details so vividly, I almost felt as if I was there.
And yes, everyone is so proud of Moishey and his achievements, and even
more so of you and hour husband`s achievements. your hard work has
certainly paid off and you fully deserve to reap the fruits of your
labor. Mazel Tov, and lots of nachas from Moishey and all your children.
I
will now conclude this letter, which turned out longer than I had
intended. May you have continued success in all your endeavors. All my
best wishes to you.
With love and admiration,
Your cousin, Raizy Spitzer
Monroe, New York
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