Dear Friends

I shall attempt to speak of my father in hopefully the same ways he has spoken about those loved ones who have gone before us.

His journey upon Life’s road was full of challenge, adventure, humor and love. This loved and loving father, grandfather, brother, husband, friend and benefactor died during the period of twilight which touches the dark of night.

My father was just passing on Life’s Highways his highest point; but being weary for just a moment, he lay down by the wayside, and using his burden for a pillow, fell into a dreamless sleep that kisses down his eyelids still. While yet in love with life and raptured with the world, he passed to silence and dust.

Yet, after all, it may be the most noble way, just in the happiest, sunniest hour of all the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash against the unseen rock, and in an instant hear the billows roar above a sunken ship. For whether in mid-sea or among the breakers of the farther shore, a wreck must at last mark the end of each and all. And every life, no matter if its every hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with a joy, will, at its close, become a tragedy as sad and deep and dark as can be woven of the warp and weft of mystery and death.

This brave and tender man in every storm of life was oak and rock; but in the sunshine he was vine and flower. He was the friend of all heroic souls. He climbed the heights, and left all superstitions far below, while on his forehead fell the golden dawning of the grander day.

He loved the beautiful, and was with color, form and music touched to tears. He sided with the weak, the wronged, and lovingly became a buttress for those who needed strength in their darkest hours.

He believed that happiness was the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion and love the only rabbi. He added to the sum of human joy; and were every one to whom he did some loving service, to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers.

Goodbye Papa, I love you.