Could I ever have imagined that at twenty years old I would be standing with my family at my fourteen-year-old brother’s bedside, watching as he took his last breaths? For some reason I have strong images of my mother during those last few moments but none of my father. What is etched into my memory is my father’s face after the petirah.
It was almost impossible for him to articulate that first kiddush a few hours after he lost his son. I remember how he broke down and couldn’t say the words. I remember his face so full of pain during the entire week of shivah. And of course, just because shivah ended, the pain didn’t disappear.
That pain became part of who he was. Part of who my parents were. There was a place in their hearts that was always full of pain. There were plenty of times afterward when my parents smiled and laughed and radiated happiness. But if you happened to glance at their faces at the right moment, you would see glimpses of the pain.
It has been many years since those early days of loss. But I can still see the pain on their faces and feel their pain at losing a child. Although B”H, I have not lost any children, that pain is so tangible to me. When I hear of a young child dying, my heart constricts for the pain of the parents. So how can a father go through that twice? I can’t imagine losing two precious daughters. But Mr. Glen Holman faces daily the pain of losing and missing two children. Wherever he goes, he carries them in his heart. Yet he still speaks passionately about finding the good in life. With all of his pain, he recognizes that Hashem has showered him with so much berachah. And he doesn’t take that for granted.
When hearing tragic stories such as these, many people can’t help but ask, “How? How can they go on? How can they ever smile again?” Listening to Mr. Glen Holman you will hear how. You will also find inspiration and lessons from amidst the pain that each person can internalize for their own stories.
To listen clicke here;