Week 1 – 52 Weeks, A blog dedicated to Lionel Larry

I decided that my first post should give a background on my story and how/why this blog was formed.  It will also encompass what I was feeling in the first week following my fathers passing. The first week is focused on the funeral and I am going to post the eulogy that I read at my Fathers funeral on March 25, 2015.  This eulogy will give you an introduction into our relationship, who my father was as a person, and how he shaped me.  I also want to say – that I am not a professional writer, blogger, or editor! I am doing this blog to create meaning, a sense of connection, and to help others with resources, education and human experience.   My posts might be a mix of thoughts, lists, quotes and experience.  Please be open minded that it might not be the “typical” blog, but it will be rich with truth, vulnerability, and courage.  My hope with this is to create connection and most of all comfort and inspiration for all those reading.  My father always taught me to find meaning.  Dad, this blog is for you.

“When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we’ll see. No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid,  just as long as you stand, stand by me. If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall, or the mountains should crumble to the sea. I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear, just as long as you stand, stand by me. “

Dad – I hope you are singing right now with your huge, contagious smile.  This was my father’s theme song.  There was a group of my dad’s close friends that used to sing this song at every bar mitzvah and wedding.  Singing this at my wedding, was one of my life’s highlights.  This song carried my dad through life, and we listened to it daily at the end.  My dad believed that you should be a person, friend and colleague that can stand by someone’s side no matter what challenge they are going through.    He was an incredible friend and I was lucky enough to have him standing by me all my life as my father.  What a huge privilege it was to have Lionel Larry as my father.

What I have learned from my Father – Lionel Larry

No guts, no glory – from a very young age, this motto and theme was instilled in all of us.

To be ambitious, hardworking, and dedicated.

To open my heart up to my friends, and to be a friend that someone will always remember.

That life was meant for TRAVEL, adventure, and lots of good times.  Among many incredible trips – my Dad took me to Africa when I was 10 years old!

To live and love life – now and always.

No one loved life more than my dad. Truly.   His zest and passion was contagious. My dad loved an adventure, and life was the greatest adventure there was to him!  He also loved to make deep connections with everyone he encountered.  I really was lucky that I spent every day with my Dad for the last 6 weeks of his life.  I watched as people came to visit with him.  The close, real and very authentic bonds he had with so many people was something I looked up to and definitely aspire towards.  Connection was huge for my father, but nothing was more important than his close connection with his family.  He lived for us and with us, and everything he did revolved around us.

When my life changed on December 16, 2012 – the day of his diagnosis, I was afraid.  I was scared my Dad would not make it to my wedding, or even to meet my first born.  Luckily, my dad was present for both.

Cancer was like one of his business deals.  Something he had to succeed at, and fight for and just put all his spirit and energy into conquering – so he could continue to live out his adventures.  The fact that my Dad knows Cole is a true gift.  I can already see how stubborn, feisty and passionate Cole is.  All the essence of my dad.   I really learned a lot about focus, attitude, and resilience from my dad his whole life – but especially over the past two years.  As Adam mentioned, my Dad always had to find meaning in life and the silver lining in every situation.  The past two years have brought me extremely close to both my brothers.  We were team Larry from the beginning.  We fought together as a collective, and we always will.  I come from an extraordinary family, and I am blessed to be surrounded by such intelligence, ambition, and most of all sensitive, caring, menschy beings.  The true legacy of my father.  I love you forever and will miss you always.  I promise to live your spirit every day and try to give those that surround me the gifts of you.  Thank you for being the best father a girl could ask for.  I only hope to be able to emulate your life one day – that is my true prayer right now.  I love you.