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Singing for Ted

It was almost exactly a year ago that the choir gathered at Ted Cron's house to share an evening of music with Ted, who was a Temple Micah (TM) choir member for 40 years. Usually, Ted sat next to me in the bass section and gave me (sometimes unsolicited :-) ) some newbie guidance. He was a big help to a neophyte. Ted had ALS and we thought he did not have long to live. Boy, were we wrong. Ted lived another year and just passed away two days ago. Ted was a remarkable man even as he struggled with this terrible disease.

Today, his funeral service was held at his beloved TM. On quick notice, almost the entire choir was able to rearrange their schedule to sing at the service - our last gift to this man, who had given each of us so much over the years.

During and after the service, I ruminated on a few things:

• Eulogies. Those that spoke to and about Ted described a man that I think we would all aspire to be. And it was all true. Ted was loving, inspired, devoted to Judaism and Temple Micah, hard working, persevering and always up for new challenges (e.g he decided to learn how to ski at age 50). It made me think about what my eulogies will be and made me think about living my life in such a way that people who will hear them will remember me for the right reasons. Because who wants to be remembered for the mundane successes - how much money we made, what nice homes we had, or even for our childrens' accomplishments? I want to be remembered for the love I showered on others, and about making a (albeit small) difference to my family, my synagogue, my community and maybe the world.
  


• Why didn't we visit Ted more often?
  We had planned to pay Ted a visit during the last couple of months, but "never found the time". And, now we regret it. Hopefully, we'll learn from this not so much because it is a mitzvah opportunity lost (which it is) but because we could have made his life a little sunnier if only for a few moments. What takes higher priority than that?
  


• What's the right weather for a funeral?
  
  Today it was dark and rainy. Perhaps, this is fitting for a day which is sombre and full of sadness at our loss. But, OTOH, a sunny day may help remind us of the love and joy the deceased caused to shine upon us.
  

The choir sang 3 selections as part of the service.

Elohai/Asher Yatzar, the 23rd Psalm (Bernstein's version) and finally Esa Enai, Psalm 121:


I lift up my eyes to the mountains:
What is the source of my help?
My help will come from Adonai,
Maker of heaven and earth.

God will not let your foot stumble;
Your Protector will not sleep.
The Protector of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

God is your Guardian;
God is your protection at your right hand.
The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

God will guard you from all harm,
God will guard your soul,
your going and your coming,
now and forever.

The Real Question of the Season