UNVEILING REMARKS

Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking allot of what, if anything, there was for me to share with you today - you, my dear family and closest friends.

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At the funeral, the Rabbi, Joan, and I, through Steve, eulogized Harriet’s life and its meaning for us. Today is different, we are the survivors and have to deal with our lives from here on forward without Harriet. We have only our memories. Not a minute goes that I don’t think of Harriet, however, the future is about us. So, I’ve decided to briefly share with you my personal reflections, as I look back on these 6 months since Harriet’s passing.   read more...

Howard Needleman

Yesterday, I chose to read my own adaptation of the translation of excerpts from Proverbs 31, the last chapter of the Book of Proverbs. It's called, "Eshet Hayil" -- "Woman of Strength (or Valor)". In traditional households, the husband recites it in honor of his wife every Friday evening at the Shabbat dinner table. It is an alphabetical acrostic: each line gives another quality of the Woman of Valor, or Strength. Were it not for the finitude of the alphabetic, presumably one could keep going with one's praise.   read more...

Rabbi

Perkins

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Every year our little group celebrates each birthday like children around a party table; but on Harriet’s birthday this year in March, our birthday group was confronted by joy and sorrow, hope and despair, wonder and anguish. Yes, even though her chair vacant, her place settings untouched, we all felt her with us. She will belong at every birthday party we have forever.

We are all ageless children making wishes, spinning dreams, and hoping for the best in life. Like all children do, we reflect on the past, question the complexities of life and always look to the future for peace of mind.   

Martha

Hertzberg

It has been over six months since my last visit with my sweet friend, Harriet. There has been time to miss her, time to feel the pain of her loss and time to reflect on her as a unique individual – whether as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister or as a caring therapist and friend.   read more...

Robbie

Lasser

These thoughts are from a book by Lois Wyse called, "Women Make The Best Friends" and another book by Carmen Berry entitled, "Girlfriends: Invisible Bonds, Enduring Ties." The words make me think of my wonderful longtime friendship with Harriet, which started in the 7th grade at Fort Lee Intermediate School.

"Your boss is mad; your spouse is complaining; the kids are cranky; and you just discovered that the roof is leaking. There's one thing to do. Pick up the phone and call a friend.   read more...

Joan

Taub

Antione de St. Exupery wrote:

"Bit by bit, it comes over us that we shall never share again the laughter of our friend, that this one garden is forever locked against us. And then begins our true mourning. For nothing, in truth, can replace that old companion. Old friends cannot be created out of hand. Nothing can match the treasure of common memories, of trials endured together, of quarrels and reconciliations and generous emotions. It is idle, having planted an acorn in the morning, to expect that afternoon to sit in the shade of an oak".   

Ellen

Moskowitz