The Best Thing Someone Never Said to Me

I'm at Jacob's memorial service. I just finished eulogizing him. He's two years old.

In order to help me, I think about Jackie Kennedy. I feel I am cut from stronger cloth than most people. And so I am.

There is a reception afterwards. Various people express their condolences.

An older gentleman named Ben approaches Jeremy and me. He is an old friend of my father-in-law's.

He clasps both of my hands in his. He looks into my eyes. He is clearly struggling. He does this for some time without saying anything.

When he finally speaks, this is what he says. There are no words. There are no words he repeats. He doesn't say anything else.

He continues to hold my hands. He keeps eye contact. Thank you, I say.

I will never forget this. I will never forget what he said because it is perfect.