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October 27, 1974

 Dear Friends,


I hope you will forgive me for filling your inbox but as I sit here alone in the house after a beautiful weekend with a couple of you in the midwest (you know who you are), it has been a time to reflect.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, 1974 I didn't feel well and Sue came to visit me in the dorm and brought me some chicken soup that she had heated up in the microwave in the lounge   at Blaisdell Hall at the University of Illinois which was part of Pennsylvania Ave. Residence Halls.  

I was so very touched by Sue's act of kindness (who knew that this was the beginning of what would be over 50 years of receiving acts of kindness from my beloved friend).

Today and tomorrow mark the 51st anniversary of that special moment in our lives. 

And, maybe more important than feeling better from the chicken soup which is often known as Jewish penicillin, was what followed.

I asked her to marry me and well please listen to the lyrics below and you will understand why that night was so different from all other nights for me/us.

I was blessed to have someone fulfill these lyrics over and over and over again so many times.  What a blessing and how very sad that now she only resides in my heart.

I was given a book by one of you called Twice by Mitch Albom.  The main character has a gift to be able to go back and relive special moments.  As I read this book (the first full book I have been able to read since Sue passed away), I have longed so many times in the past six months to be able to go back and relive precious moments with Sue and say and do things that would have been more supportive and more loving.  But alas, when it comes to love, according to Grandma in the book, we can't go back.

So, please do me a favor and "make someone happy" in honor and memory of Sue.  And I willl treasure the moments she made me happy and pray that I made her happy too.

Blessed by all of you,

Rabbi Bruce Aft



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