Thank You
I wanted to take a few moments to thank the LIW community of brides (and a few grooms) for their amazing outpour of support to me and my family these last few days. For months I spoke of my father's condition and from then until his passing on Saturday, this amazing class of women and men have been like sisters and brothers to me. I don't even know where to start to thank you all.
Some of you have experienced this kind of loss before and have shared your experiences with me. Those of you who have not, you put yourself in my shoes and gave me so many 'virtual hugs' that I couldn't help but feel genuine affection from each of you.
Yesterday was Daddy's funeral. I had been preparing what I was going to say to him in eulogy for so long because I thought, so many times before, that we were going to lose him. I kept on thinking that I didn't know how I was going to get up in front of people and say what I wanted to say. But something came over me and gave me the strength to fight my biggest fear of public speaking and give him the last gift I could give this man who showered me with love, affection, attention and everything else a child needs my whole life. If you knew my father, you would know he was one of the most generous, selfless human beings on the face of the earth. I would like to share part of what I said with all of you. I wrote this in letter form as if it were addressed to my father.
'Because of the kind of man you are Daddy, you made it easy for me to seek out a special kind of love in someone else and you would be proud of my choice. I'll be ok Daddy. I did what you told me to do. I consider myself truly blessed that you waited for my new love to take care of my heart when you couldn?t do it anymore. Just recently, I had the most amazing and beautiful experience of having you and Edward, the two greatest loves of my life, together at the same time to tell you each how much I love you and ask you for your blessing. You gave me that most precious gift and you waited for me to show you my ring. I prayed that G-d would let us have you long enough for that. Thank you so much for waiting. It was perhaps one of your last and most beautiful selfless acts. One of the very last things I remember you speaking to me months ago was that you had to make me a nice wedding and I was able to thank you so for doing that for us. When we stand under the chuppah, I will feel your smile upon us and as we start our new life together, just know that not a day will go by without you being there with us. I hope and pray that we are blessed with a long and beautiful marriage such as yours and moms. We will celebrate your lives and influences always.'
On a lighter note, when I walked into the funeral chapel, I saw two large presentations of flowers. I thought it was strange since, at Jewish funerals, we do not send or use flowers. When I got closer and looked at one of the cards, I smiled and became very excited. The New York Yankees sent a beautiful arrangement. My brother has an account with them through business. What makes this extra special is that my father grew up in the Bronx and was a HUGE Yankee fan. He got the ultimate send-off from a team of his heroes. Nothing could have been more appropriate for MY hero.
For those ladies who are blessed to have their fathers still with them, please hug and kiss them the next time you see them. Tell your parents how much you love them. It is so important. Celebrate life with them and that is how I plan to honor my father's memory - celebrating life.
Thank you all so much again.
Leslie
Some of you have experienced this kind of loss before and have shared your experiences with me. Those of you who have not, you put yourself in my shoes and gave me so many 'virtual hugs' that I couldn't help but feel genuine affection from each of you.
Yesterday was Daddy's funeral. I had been preparing what I was going to say to him in eulogy for so long because I thought, so many times before, that we were going to lose him. I kept on thinking that I didn't know how I was going to get up in front of people and say what I wanted to say. But something came over me and gave me the strength to fight my biggest fear of public speaking and give him the last gift I could give this man who showered me with love, affection, attention and everything else a child needs my whole life. If you knew my father, you would know he was one of the most generous, selfless human beings on the face of the earth. I would like to share part of what I said with all of you. I wrote this in letter form as if it were addressed to my father.
'Because of the kind of man you are Daddy, you made it easy for me to seek out a special kind of love in someone else and you would be proud of my choice. I'll be ok Daddy. I did what you told me to do. I consider myself truly blessed that you waited for my new love to take care of my heart when you couldn?t do it anymore. Just recently, I had the most amazing and beautiful experience of having you and Edward, the two greatest loves of my life, together at the same time to tell you each how much I love you and ask you for your blessing. You gave me that most precious gift and you waited for me to show you my ring. I prayed that G-d would let us have you long enough for that. Thank you so much for waiting. It was perhaps one of your last and most beautiful selfless acts. One of the very last things I remember you speaking to me months ago was that you had to make me a nice wedding and I was able to thank you so for doing that for us. When we stand under the chuppah, I will feel your smile upon us and as we start our new life together, just know that not a day will go by without you being there with us. I hope and pray that we are blessed with a long and beautiful marriage such as yours and moms. We will celebrate your lives and influences always.'
On a lighter note, when I walked into the funeral chapel, I saw two large presentations of flowers. I thought it was strange since, at Jewish funerals, we do not send or use flowers. When I got closer and looked at one of the cards, I smiled and became very excited. The New York Yankees sent a beautiful arrangement. My brother has an account with them through business. What makes this extra special is that my father grew up in the Bronx and was a HUGE Yankee fan. He got the ultimate send-off from a team of his heroes. Nothing could have been more appropriate for MY hero.
For those ladies who are blessed to have their fathers still with them, please hug and kiss them the next time you see them. Tell your parents how much you love them. It is so important. Celebrate life with them and that is how I plan to honor my father's memory - celebrating life.
Thank you all so much again.
Leslie
