My dear grandmother,

I guess it took a while to really sit down and write what I
feel. I guess it took a while for it to strike me.
So it struck me today, 30 days after your funeral.
I was looking for one word to say, one word to sum it all.
And I found that word...
Thanks

Thanks for the fun day we'd get on our birthdays
Thanks for the patience when I'd fool around and make a
mess
Thanks for the attentive ear at every phase of my life
Thanks for the Zionism of coming and living in this small
dangerous country more than 50 years ago
Thanks for the smile that would always make me feel better
Thanks for the home-cooked meal when it was really needed
Thanks for the times you forgave
Thanks for the times you didn't let go
Thanks for the shelter you made sure I felt at all times
Thanks for the determination not to pass certain ideals and
ethical codes as part of our education
Thanks for chocolates always in your bottom drawer, always
ready
Thanks for the confirmation we grew up, and that we did it
the right way
Thanks for the excitement I could always tell was real
Thanks for the use of the word "sure" so many times
Thanks for the spirit that kept you here through wars and
other struggles
Thanks for the open door, no matter what
Thanks for the stubbornness concerning manners
Thanks for the ability to send children and grandchildren
out to the battle field
Thanks for the burgers, roastbeefs, lasagnas and strudels
Thanks for the persistance
Thanks for the owl statue collection
Thanks for the availibility, which was unquestionable
Thanks for the love for Jerusalem and Israel
Thanks for the prune tree in the back yard
Thanks for the comments, and the way they were made
Thanks for the positive spirit when it was hard
Thanks for the pleasant greetings on the phone
Thanks for the "Scrabble" game you bought me when I was
eleven
Thanks for the big family I have now
Thanks for the way of making sure sure we were happy with
ourselves
Thanks for the stupid games like "Dave" on your old
computer
Thanks for the visits, even when you were already very ill
Thanks for the beautiful sculptures you made
Thanks for the sacrifices
Thanks for the past 22 years of knowing you
Thanks

Rest in peace