Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Time flies when you're...

...mourning.

Today was the final time I said kaddish (the mourning prayer for Jews) in temple for my mother. I've spent the last 2+ years saying kaddish, first for my dad who passed in late 2020, now for my mom who passed in January of this year. The children say kaddish three times a day, every day, for 11 months after the parent has passed and I didn't miss a day, as much as I didn't like doing this.

Her soul is now with G-d.

I never thought that the death of others would affect me much, but losing a parent, let alone both, definitely changed me and I'm sure others here have had similar experiences.

My mom was born in Czechoslovakia* and was one of the few members of her family to survive the Holocaust. Everyone other than her, her mother and her father were executed, but they were saved because my great grandfather had traveled to the US in the 1800s and obtained US citizenship. He was only in the US for a few years before he had to return to Europe, but the fact that he was a naturalized US citizen meant that his kids (my grandfather) had the right to claim US citizenship as well. The Nazis noticed this when reviewing his papers and proposed a prisoner exchange with the US, where the US would give up a German diplomat held in NY to get my grandfather, grandmother and mother.

My grandfather had to travel to NYC to claim citizenship, though, and he had to leave his family behind, in the custody of the SS, to travel here. Two years later, he had citizenship and my grandmother and mother were still alive (though being held in concentration camps where they were brutalized and witnessed the executions of their remaining family and friends). My mom arrived at Ellis Island and they quickly assimilated. They came to the US with $.20 to their names and never asked for, nor received, handouts or special programs. It took my mom another 10 years to obtain her US citizenship, legally.

Even though my mom witnessed and was subjected to some of the most horrible things to ever happen, she never looked back and just wanted to have a good life and raise a family. In fact, there was a time when reparations were being offered for Holocaust survivors and she (and my grandparents) flat out refused to even apply. My grandfather said it best...they ended up in the most incredible country in the history of the world and that was all they needed for the future. Money wouldn't change history, but being in the US would change their future.

And it did.


*My grandmother's side of the family were something of Sephardic (i.e., originally from lands now controlled by Arabs) nomads...they lived in Czechoslovakia, and before that Germany, and before that Spain, and before that Rhodes, and before that the Middle East. You can see that influence in my background in the pictures of my mom as a kid in Prague.
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You're a good son Remsen.

God Bless.

Freedom.... it's all about freedom.
I can't imagine what it's like for you and your family to witness leftist twits throw away freedom and the truth for false promises and Marxist lies...
I am embarrassed for many Americans today.
A reckoning is coming.
Remsen, you are a great American!!!!!

Remsen, you and your family are the fabric of the real USA. Bless you all.

One of my favorite stories.

Glad her journey is over.

Loosing parents isn’t easy. Best wishes.

Fascinating family history.
Hold your head high and always be proud of your heritage.

Thanks for sharing. And sorry for your losses.

You come from good folks.

Carrying on the oral tradition. The shared experiences is what helps make a family whole, especially one as profound as yours. You're a Mensch.

Remsen, thank you for sharing. That was a moving memoir.

Holocaust deniers burn my ass badly.

Hell of a story man.

Keep it alive, I for one appreciate reading it.

She (and your dad) obviously did something right since you are the living proof of that success. The pictures of your mom in her younger years shows a brightness in her eyes and a glimpse at the beauty of her soul. May your mom rest in eternal peace and may you find comfort in having been blessed to have had her for as long as you did.

God's peace, Remsen, you come from class and it shows.

Incredible family history and good on you Remson for passing it on and keeping it alive.

Thank you for that touching story. Yours is an example of what makes our country great.

Remsen, thanks for sharing. Sounds like she was an incredible woman.

Remson,

I too lost my mother this year, so I can relate. I'm glad that I read your memorialization of her. You are a devoted and fine son. I'm sure she is proud.

touching story - real americans - god be with you and your family