I know I held your casket today. Today was the last day I could spend time with you before you left for the next world. You meant everything in the world to me. You found me on the streets of Brooklyn. I was angry sad and broken. I even pushed away from you and was hesitant to speak to you at first. I had lost all trust in people. Our relationship started with a few chap o nosh chills. Before I knew it you took me off the streets and brought me to your home. Rebbi and father you were the first person to ever give me hope love validation respect and warmth.
I never even it was possible to feel so good in my life. I came back every off Shabbat from Waterbury, and with pleasure and delight you waited for me by the bus. With you Rebbi and father I had a place. To me that meant everything to have secure safe haven to live at. You mentored me and gave me so many tools to live my life with. Rebbi and Father you never said one hurtful or mean thing to me ever at your Levaya today they spoke about how you had no Lashon Hara to say about people. The world always speaks about not saying Lashing Hara you were a step ahead you only spoke lashon tov. You made me smile for the first time in years and I have been smiling since. You gave me confidence and built my self-esteem up.
To you, I was the coolest person in the world. I knew you were the most amazing genuine person I had ever met. I was struggling with money and I needed food and clothes. You understood me and would fight with me night and to buy things. I would say no, and you would say yes knowing deep down I really needed it but couldn’t show that to anyone. So eventually I would give in and we would go shopping. You taught what dignity was and how precious I was to be Jewish. How you behaved in public was just the same as in your home. You taught me to believe in myself and to never give up hope if there’s a will there’s a way. You always made sure I never went to sleep hungry or malnourished. You got me to work out every day and to see huge results from consistency you helped me build. Every morning I woke up to a fresh omelet and when I finished that another one plus a coffee and two pieces of cheesecake from Yossi’s. You even sent up cheesecake to yeshiva because you knew how much I loved it. You brought me back to Judaism with one tool love that’s all you needed.
You saw the world differently that most humans. You saw opportunity hope passion creativity and pure heart in every person you met. You saw through exteriors and really held of people. You were a best friend Rebbi and father please daven for me in heaven. I will do my best to live on your footsteps. When I asked why me you said I know one day you’ll be great, and you can pay it forward. You made a champion at facing adversity. I always fantasized that you would be by wedding at that my kids one day in the future would get to glean warmth and love from you. They will the love you gave to me I will give to them.
I love you and I will miss being with you in person. Please forgive me if I ever wasn’t respectful or inconvenienced you in and fashion. As I held your casket, I kept thinking the same way you gave me VIP service hashem will do the same for you upstairs. You have a one-way straight ticket to Gan Eden. Right to the top. You were never given respect like the Gadol Hador but in heaven you will be given that respect. You can’t hide your greatness forever. I love you I love you I love you…
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