This post is a little late, but we’ve been busy running around before I deploy. I wanted to actually take some time to sit down and write something meaningful.
The unveiling of Sonia’s gravestone was held over Memorial Day weekend. It was a beautiful sunny day, just like it was on the day of her funeral. We were surrounded by family and friends that came from near and far. The atmosphere was different than when we gathered there last September. I felt like we said goodbye to her then, where as we were saying hello and we miss you at the unveiling.
The rabbi that lead the funeral had to cancel at the last minute to due an illness in his family, but he had a friend come in his place. He did a wonderful job and even though he barely knew our family, he gave an excellent sermon and honored Sonia well. There was an airshow going on nearby for fleet week, and some beautiful classic planes flew overhead during the ceremony. While some might have found this distracting, the pilot in me thought it was a fitting tribute. I’d like to think Sonia arranged it for us.
The stone itself is beautiful. Shannon and I put a lot of thought into the design and it came out just as we had hoped.
The permanence and finality of the memorial were sad and comforting at the same time. It reminds us of her passing, but it gives us something physical to touch and see and remember her by. Faye did not attend the ceremony, but we all came back the following day to visit with Sonia and place rocks on her gravestone (a Jewish custom). Faye did real well and it was touching to hear her talk about sister.
Faye is a real “gatherer” whenever we go outside. I often come back from our walks with my pockets filled with rocks (at her request). What we have started to do is pick one special rock from each of our walks and place them in a special box for Sonia. Now when we go visit her, Faye can bring a little piece of home to Sonia.
We can’t thank Marv and Nathalie enough for opening their house to us and our family for the reception following the ceremony. You both made what was going to be a quick get-together into a warm family gathering. Thanks to all who came to honor Sonia. We hope that this was just one of many visits you will make to her graveside.
Thanks for writing this. I’ve been thinking about you guys and wondering how the unveiling of Sonia’s gravestone went. The gravestone is beautiful. I’m glad you had such a nice ceremony.
Her stone turned out beautifully. That is so sweet about Faye and the rocks. I’m so glad that the memorial went well.
Brook
Shannon and Jason, I know how you feel when I placed Danielle’s tombstone (feeling of relief and at the same time remembering). Our girls are at peace. We know that they are in heaven. That’s good Faye is able to think and talk about her sister. Arielle was unable to communicate to Danielle in a sense that we can but I am glad that they got a chance to “share” the womb and got a chance to sleep together for a while. I got Danielle a flat statue. The monument does look beautiful.