Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Lighting a candle
Friday the 25th is the one-year anniversary of Andrew's death. This day feels like it means a lot, perhaps more than his birthday. It marks the fact that I and his family have survived a year without him, but it also gives me a bit of distance so that I can hopefully focus on happy memories of him.
I will be in Minnesota for a conference, but my supervisor generously offered to cover my responsibilities for the day so that I could take the day off. Although I have family in the city, and there will be lots of friends in town for the conference, I decided that I wanted to spend the day alone, with just my thoughts. The only thing I have planned is a trip to the Cathedral of St. Paul, which sounded like the kind of contemplative space I'd want to be at that day.
A friend has told me about some of the Jewish traditions surrounding the anniversary of a loved one's death. Part of it involves lighting a candle and saying a prayer. So I've been asking my friends, and I ask my friends and family who read my blog - if you would like to do something to remember Andrew, light a candle on Friday and think of him.
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3 comments:
Your father and I will be lighting a candle together with Andrew's parents and sister who are visiting us. You are in our thoughts.
Thinking of you, and Andrew's parents and sister, and wishing you all peace.
I have lit a candle for Andrew this evening. It is perfumed with bluebells, a reminder of the woods on Cannock Chase, near Andrew's Staffordshire home.
We will be joining you.
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