"A MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND"
 

THIS IS A 'SERMON' THAT A MALE FRIEND AND MEMBER OF OUR CONGREGATION READ ONE EVENING AT SERVICES.

A little over four weeks ago a friend of mine at work lost her son.  He was 15 years old and in good health to that point, so his death was a sudden and complete shock to his parents and everyone who knew him.  The cliche` goes that this is every parent's worst nightmare and of course it's very true.  I saw this beautiful young woman change from someone who was always pleasant, cheerful, and willing to help anyone with any task to someone who will forever be burdened forever by this deep unshakeable sadness, a pain in her soul that will stay with her for the rest of her life.  She will never see her son grow up to be a man, to achieve his potential, to marry and give her grandchildren.  That he died in his sleep serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life.  Even though I never met Daniel, my coworker Cathy's son, I think about him every day and the change his passing made in Cathy's life, in her spirit, in her sense of confidence in the future.
 
 

In our own congregation we have a couple that is familiar with the pain and loss my friend Cathy is feeling.  Randy and Kathy Friedberg lost their son Harlan almost two years ago and have had the struggle of attempting to resume their normal lives while dealing with unimaginable pain.  A friend of Debbie's [girlfriend] also lost a son several months ago to a car accident as has another coworker several years ago, so this situation has become more and more prominent in my thoughts.
 
 

Unless, G-d forbid, it were to happen to us, the rest of us can never understand how the Johnsons and Friedbergs feel and I pray that we never do.  But we can say a prayer for them in out hearts that they can someday find a measure of peace and happiness in the wonderful memories that their sons have given them over the years.  Harlan and Daniel are with G-d now and if G-d is G- d, then, who knows, they're probably having a good time up there together.

WE REMEMBER

FRIEDBERG FIVE FOREVER 2000

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