Closure.

Today was Grandpa Jack's unveiling. 


In Jewish tradition it is when the tombstone is revealed for the first time. It is usually accompanied by a small service by a Rabbi and speeches are given by loved ones and family. It was a wonderful service, small, heartfelt and meaningful. It gave a lot of closure to Esther (Charlies' mother and the oldest of Grandpa Jack's daughters) which is definitely what she needed.

Mindy (Esther's sister), Esther, Charlie and Gina(Jack's sister-in-law) all gave wonderful speeches. Mindy spoke of how she would remember all the good times and how hard working her father was. Esther spoke of Grandpa Jack's love of food and how she would carry that with her always. Gina, a very exuberant character herself, spoke about how close they grew in the past 30 years and how she now has no one to fight with. We all laughed:). Charlie had decided to read the story that Grandpa Jack had wrote about him and his sister.

After the unveiling, we all had lunch together at the restaurant in the hotel with all the loved ones that joined us. After that we spent the afternoon with Esther visiting all the places she used to go with her Father. One of the places was Atwater Market, a wonderful farmers market that is open all year round. We strolled up and down the isles, closely and carefully examining all the counters, tasting cheeses and fruit from the various vendors. The very same way Grandpa Jack would with his daughters. Esther even managed to get some white apples, apparently they are only grown in Quebec and only available late July to mid August. They are VERY tart. Think of a granny smith on steriods. She  told us stories of how she used to eat so many of them they would make her sick. We even picked up her favorite honey, raisin and hazelnut bread. She was happy and sad all at the same time. Happy to relive memories of her father, Sad remembering that fact that there are no more memories to be made.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. Grandpa Jack would be proud of all his children and grandchildren.