This morning I awoke to the news that my Aunt Belle passed away last night. This was very disturbing news to me for she was my last aunt to be alive, and my favorite. She leaves two sons, Jerry and Ronnie. Jerry, as a very young man was attacked by polio and has been in a wheel chair ever since. He's over 70 right now and has lived longer than doctors expected. He married a lady many years ago who had one son. My aunt's other son, Ronald lives here in Florida with his third wife. He was divorced from his first, and his second wife died of cancer. Aunt Belle lived in Boca Raton in a condo right on the ocean on the 19th floor. What a beautiful sight from her terrace. My aunt was over 90 years old and she will be missed.
Of course there was a time in my life when I had the good fortune of knowing all my aunts and uncles, and I had many of them. My mother had three brothers and two sisters all of whom married and provided me with additional uncles and aunts, and eventually a cornucopia of cousins of various sexes. My father had one brother and a sister both of whom married and had children. My Uncle Morris, my father's brother, married Celia, a Catholic girl and all their children--I believe there were eight of them--were brought up as Catholics maintaining the name of Rosenberg! I am still in touch with one of them who lives in the Atlantic Highlands in New Jersey--namely Peter Rosenberg--a very fond nephew of my mother. But as life would have it, I did live to see every one of my aunts and uncles die, and my Aunt Belle, who was married to my mother's brother, was the last of them. And so I am left with a myriad of cousins who are scattered over the country and dot the landscapes as a legacy of their parents. I do love them all--even though I have no clue as to where many of are.
Now tonight, we are celebrating at dinner my friend and neighbor's 85th birthday; and so, as fate would have it, I will have to bear this day with sadness and joy. It will be difficult.
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A woman of valor, who can find?
Far beyond pearls is her value.
Her husband's heart trusts in her and he shall lack no fortune.
She repays his good, but never his harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool and linen, and her hands work willingly.
She is like a merchant's ships; from afar she brings her sustenance.
She rises while it is still nighttime, and gives food to her household and a ration to her maids.
She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her handiwork she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with might and strengthens her arms.
She senses that her enterprise is good, so her lamp is not extinguished at night.
She puts her hand to the distaff, and her palms support the spindle.
She spreads out her palm to the poor and extends her hands to the destitute.
She fears not snow for her household, for her entire household is clothed with scarlet wool.
Bedspreads she makes herself; linen and purple wool are her clothing.
Well-known at the gates is her husband as he sits with the elders of the land.
Garments she makes and sells, and she delivers a belt to the peddler.
Strength and splendor are her clothing, and smilingly she awaits her last day.
She opens her mouth with Wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She anticipates the needs of her household, and the bread of idleness, she does not eat.
Her children rise and celebrate her; and her husband, he praises her:
"Many daughters have attained valor, but you have surpassed them all."
False is grace, and vain is beauty;
a God-fearing woman, she should be praised.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and she will be praised at the gates by her very own deeds.
Norman, My condolences on the passing of your Aunt. my thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad day.
Norman, my dear friend, parting is always difficult no matter how old any of us is. You will bear up under this burden because you are NORMAN ROSS.
And I never cease to be amazed at your darling daughter, Robin, who has always been "there" for her family, especially her dear young Dad. You are indeed a lucky man!
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