13/2/03,

 11^th of Adar A’, 5763 (Jewish calendar)

Eulogy to Laura Grobler

Mother…,

When you were born, you parents named you: “Laura” and in Hebrew – (Lau) Never (Ra) Evil.

Kind heartedness was your currency and “Smile and be smiled at” your favorite saying.

You came to this country before it was even secure in its existence, but you knew already then that you would return, and indeed, you made “aliya” and took part in the re-construction of the Jewish people in its Nation.

Indeed – LauRa, you never did any evil, quite the opposite.

You brought to the world four children, them you educated to be Israelis on the one hand but did not let them forget their past on the other hand.

Indeed – LauRa, you never did any evil, quite the opposite.

And then, in 1987, came the angel of death and knocked at the doors of your house, although you did no Evil.

The door was opened by my father and he was stricken. And you that stood by his side were stricken also.

The door you managed to shut and the angel of death never entered.

But the angel of death has a long memory and past thirteen years he had returned to knock on the door once more.

Once again, you were stricken when you opened the door and once again the angel of death was humiliated as he failed to enter the house for you had shut the door on him.

You were only protecting your house and did no evil – LauRa.

But the angel of death is stubborn also. In his strength he tried to push his way inside only to discover you standing in his way, and though you had prevented him from entering the house, you were injured injuries that would never heal.

You were Indeed, entirely, LauRa.

But the angel of death is devious also. When he saw that he couldn’t break in through the door, he decided to enter through the window.

And so while you were taking care of your wounds, the angel of death entered through the window, he then sealed the windows shut, prevented air and sun from your eyes and lit a bonfire in the center of your house, and begun the work of strangulation.

It took the angel of death a year, but unfortunately he did not fail a fourth time.

The angel of death we can blame for picking you LauRa, too early.

Our sole remorse is that by being so busy with you – he did not find time to deal with others.

God we blame for forfeiting you, for forfeiting the one who never did any Evil.

And to you Laura, we wish that you go to a place which you so deserve – a place that is all good and were all are good, a place that is suitable of your name – LauRa.