My In-Laws are Dead - Strengthen the Bond of those Remaining

Adonai is my light and my salvation; whom do I need to fear? Adonai is the stronghold of my life; of whom should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1.

My in-laws have passed away, and I can only imagine the weight of loss my husband and his brother feel as they navigate the absence of both their parents.

It’s heartbreaking to think that my nephews and nieces have lost all their grandparents. I feel a mixture of gratitude and sorrow knowing that my stepdaughter still has her grandmother, as do my sons with my father.

When my sister-in-law unexpectedly passed away a year before my father-in-law, it hit him hard. While he didn't go to a lot of family events, you could feel how much he pulled back after she died.

I’m grateful my husband and son spent time with him when they took him out for dinner or pool nights. I'm grateful he enjoyed himself at his grandson's wedding. Those moments were precious. Still, it was evident that a part of him had dimmed, as if he had given up on life. On February 13, we learned that his wish for peace had finally been fulfilled. Now, we find ourselves as a family of 20, each of us sifting through our emotions and thoughts as we navigate this loss. I hope that as we move through this initial period of grief, we can come together and find comfort and closeness in one another.

Never before had the Mourner’s Kaddish struck me as it does now. When previous close relations had died, my soul was filled with beloved memories and the loss was difficult. I prayed nonstop for Adonai to hold me as I navigated my grief.

This time is so different. The beauty of the Mourners’s Kaddish says it all. As I fulfill my final duties toward my in-laws in the next week, these words will be in my mouth constantly:

Mourner’s Kaddish in English Translation

Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.