Perele, we are sitting here today, where we used to sit and
daven for rachmei Shomayim for you. We begged
and begged and the Ribono Shel Olom answered, but his
answer was "No." Mah nomar umah nedabeir.
Perele you were a person I can never forget. Whenever I
think of you, I get sad but uplifted. I admired you because
of your courage, for the love you showed with such
sacrifice. Discipline to your children most wisely given,
your influence is ever present, your wisdom guides their
life. The Ribono Shel Olom, whom you were loiben
mit dein gezetzen hartz was daily your source of
success.
I miss you more than words can say. Though six long weeks
have passed since I said good-bye to you, I have memories
each day of things you've said and done. Perele, I think of
you with pride and remember you with pleasure. My praise for
you, I cannot hide your special ways I treasure.
The very first time I came, you were in your garden, a place
you loved to be. How you loved going to the garden center to
buy flowers for your garden -- you tended and cared for each
petal and shrub, and it was in that very same garden that
dodi yorad legano lilkot shoshanim. Hakodosh
Boruch Hu picked his flower!
Perele, you always made sure that your home carried on as
normal even when times were very difficult for you. So often
you used to say to me how bad you feel for your new son-in-
law, and how guilty you feel for your husband who is so very
good to you. "Rivki! There isn't a thing he doesn't do for
me." Never did you complain, "It's so hard for me" or "I'm
so scared." Though you were scared of what will be of your
children, but for yourself -- never!
Perele, you could have been pampered so much more, but you
didn't let yourself -- you kept your dignity until the sad
and bitter end. You wanted your home to be as normal as
possible. "I don't want my home disrupted or looking like a
hospital. It's hard enough for my husband and children to
cope; I don't want to add to their tzaar."
You cried to me what will be with your children who were
forever in your mind, not a drop of selfishness. Looking
back now at the week of the shiva, each one of your
daughters behaved beautifully. Always worrying: "Did we
acknowledge this one? Did we say enough to that one?" It all
showed how much you put into your children; their behavior
was outstanding. Perele, your family, your home was your
life and at a time like this, you really proved yourself.
There was so much more we could have gained from you Perele.
But we know Hakodosh Boruch Hu's ways are deeply
hidden, and we cannot question His doings. Perele, I know
with all my heart, that you are in Shomayim looking
down with pride at the jewels you have left behind -- your
outstanding husband, wonderful children, and gorgeous
einiklach, bli ayin hora.
Thank you Perele, thank you, for all you taught me and for
the privilege I had spending such valuable time with you.
