Baruch Dayan HaEmet

After a very long illness and more months than he was expected to live, my friend Michelle's dad died yesterday. There was no way I could make it for a noon Levaya in Lakewood today, but I am flying in to pay a shiva call there tomorrow.

When I told my kids I was leaving tonight and coming back tomorrow, all D. wanted to know was whether I was going to have any fun or just do the shiva thing. I told him, "No, I am only going in for the Mitzvah." He said, "Can't you at least do something fun like go to the mall with Leez?"

Nope, no time.