The other day I posted on Facebook that my husband and I took a short get-away. Vacations and overnight trips for us have always been about family and or business. I am not complaining, however, for the last 34 years our life has a financial, and we chose to live it within our means while not sacrificing the hand that feeds us (business) or missing out on family and the traditions that are important to us.

With the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) just weeks away I had a personal need (a tradition that I learned from my momma and pops, to visit the cemetery and stand by my parent’s graves. I remember as a child a couple of times a year around The High Holy Days as well as Passover (in the spring) my parents would make their visit to Machpelah Cemetery to pay their respects. Richard and I did the same yesterday.

When my pops died in 2004, I felt an emptiness and loss, but because my mom was still in full bloom, the impact was not as significant for me until two years ago when momma had her stroke, and I spent weeks with her as she fought her battle until the end. As I have shared in the past it was not until I moved into my mother’s apartment and spent hours by her side did I recognize the immense love I had for her, and her for me (even though she would tend to forget my name, and often called me Gittel, Gittel was her grandmother).

Today I feel close to my parents in a very spiritual (not religious) way. I often seek their advice by asking myself what would they think or say, and although I don’t always follow it, I appreciate the memories and the loving connections that allow me to hear their thoughts in my mind.

The 24 hour trip to Detroit gave Rich, and I time to chatter about topics that were important as well as those that were just inane to keep us occupied on a 3+ hour trip up and back. We stayed at a familiar hotel, one that we would stay at when visiting my mom at Hechtman, the only difference was we would not be sitting in her apartment shooting the breeze and hearing her tell us how much she disliked the food. Instead, I would be visiting her in my thoughts as I stood next to her and my father’s resting place.

Today is a new day and one that I hope my parents are observing from the heavens above knowing that Rich, Alex, Steve and I are happy, healthy, because of their influences.

To all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, may you have a Healthy and Sweet New Year. For those who don’t my thoughts and wishes for you are the same, may we all live in peace and harmony.