You may think that getting old is difficult. But think about it, being YOUNGER isn't easy either. That is, you have to witness a lot of people dying when you're younger, and you feel like you're all alone. Maybe it's the same as you get older, but it just seems more sad when you're young and you know that your dog (who is 11 now) won't be around very much longer…not to mention being widowed (which is usually how it goes, the husband dies before the wife in most cases), plus your parents and siblings….and all the Holocaust Survivors that you once knew and loved and worked with every day are disappearing into death almost daily. Soon there won't be any more Survivors left…in my lifetime.
It's depressing as hell. I know you have lost the love of your life, and the pain of that must haunt you every day. I feel that pain with you, though, because I just lost my friend Manya. She passed away on Thursday---right before my big comic convention craft show.
I won't divulge her entire life story, but if you care to read it, here is a link:
http://www.ushmm.org/remember/office-of-survivor-affairs/survivor-volunteer/manya-friedman
I will, however, tell you about the experience that bonded us together as close friends. I wrote it on Facebook and I sent it in an email to Manya's daughter Linda and son Gary.
My friendship with Manya began 17 years ago....we had a very special experience together and talked of it often......here is how it unfolded...
One day while we were working together, a group of 3 blind people came to the information desk to ask for assistance to see the exhibition. There were 2 young men and a young woman, all between the age of 18-21 or so. They asked me if anyone could take them through the Permanent Exhibition.
No one from the Education department was available on such short notice, so I took them up to listen to the Testimony film at the end of the Exhibition. I then ran down to the information desk to try and find someone to be a tour guide.
Nobody answered their phones, or had the time. So, I decided to go get them 30 minutes later, and then I took them through Daniel's Story, and let them listen to the narrator and touch the objects in the exhibition as they walked through.
Afterwards, the young blind girl asked me to take her to the bathroom.
Manya was there, washing her hands. I said, "Hello Manya. Let me introduce you, this is one of the most awesome Holocaust Survivors you could ever meet--" and I put the blind girl's hand on Manya's while I introduced her.
Manya said hello, and suddenly the girl burst into tears and sobbed, "I am so sorry for what happened to you. This museum has taught me so much...and I am honored to meet you." She touched Manya's face and hugged her, still crying.
Manya said---and I will never forget this--- "Please don't cry for me, I survived it all...and I am still here. Cry for those who didn't live. I am lucky."
The blind girl kissed her hand, still crying, and thanked her for meeting her. Manya then gave her another hug and thanked HER for visiting the Museum.
From that day onward, Manya Friedman and I were forever changed and bonded. Somehow, between the two of us, we made a blind girl "see."
I will always cherish and miss her. I love you Manya. RIP.
Needless to say, Stephen, I have been quite sad all week. It was not easy for me to pretend I was happy while trying to sell my mini hats at the convention. It was not easy for me to meet George Takei either, because he's in his mid-70's and won't be around much longer either.
I have this thing about older people. I love them. I get very attached to them. And then they die. I've been told that I have an old soul. That must be what it is.
All I know is, I sold some hats, I won't do another comic convention as a vendor, and George was a fantastic person. But everything else just pales in comparison to Pete and I driving down to DC Monday night to avoid the snow storm, and be there Tuesday for Manya's Memorial service at her synagogue. Nobody from my Museum was there, except Sara Bloomfield (the Director), and a few others from Exhibitions and Education. Martin Goldman recognized me right away and immediately came over to me to say hello. I always liked him. He's a very well known Holocaust author.
The best part of the whole day….if there could be one…..was when Manya's daughter, Linda, came over to me and said, "Are you Becky?" and I said, "Yes…" and she said, "I recognized you because mom had pictures of you with her all over her apartment."
That made me feel good.
Here is the photo of Pete and I with George Takei. I had given him a little gift bag that had a red t-shirt inside, and on the t-shirt it said, "Sure Captain, I'll be just FINE going on a mission to some unknown freaky planet, full of crazy alien beings that I have to defend myself against, while YOU kiss the pretty alien girl…you BASTARD." He got a kick out of that!
I was wearing my "Sulu Nation" skirt….and he liked that too!
I said, smirking, "Bet you've never been THAT close to a boo-ha in a long time, eh?" He laughed. Then later, when we were having him autograph the photo, Pete told him the story of how I walked up to Adam West and said, "Excuse me sir, but some weird guy named Adam West has apparently sucked up everybody's money here at the convention, and we're all walking around BROKE now, but my husband REALLY wanted to get his autograph…so he sent me over here to see if you knew him, and told me to promise him a sexual favor." He grinned from ear to ear and said, "Now THAT was WORTH a free autograph!" hehehehehehe I can really be a stinker sometimes.
When Pete told George Takei this story, he said, "So, I guess now I am the one who has to promise YOU the sexual favor---" and George ROARED he laughed so hard!! Then Pete added, "But, well, we've already paid the $40 bucks…." and he roared again! We made George laugh like crazy. That made us both feel good. He is a good egg.
Well, that has been my week in the nutshell. I am exhausted. I hope your week has been better. I really hate losing such awesome people in my life. You will eventually be one of them, too, ya know. The thought of that just breaks my heart. I dread the day when my family members die, my husband dies, my dog dies…..friends….etc….I just don't know if I can bear it.
I'll go for now, but here's a meme that should give you a smile….
Bye for now, my sweet sexy Troubadour. Love you lots. xoxox -----Rebecca
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