A Jewish Country Song

I began writing this on Friday, May 15, while at the airport.

“A Jewish Country Song”,

Sitting in Newark en route to Florida.
Meeting my mother at a United gate.
We find out my aunt died while queuing to board.
I hate that “God’s waiting room” is so apt today.

We guessed right, arranged our travel
in time for the funeral,
but not soon enough for an in person last goodbye.
We did that in February, now it’s May.

And we’re traveling to comfort, to mourn
on days that are normally my mother’s anniversary,
my birthday, and our son’s birthday,
one after the other.

Instead of birthday cake
We view my aunt’s remains.

The day of the funeral,
our son celebrates his birthday
rowing to win a race with his team
in Tennessee
and sharing a birthday dinner with friends
while wearing a sombrero.

My spouse declared,
and was so absolutely on point:
“We were all where we needed to be.”

Every day is always many things
and now these days will have even more layers
parties and remembrances
beginnings and endings
braided into a multi-hued rope
connecting us all
a lifeline.

You can’t make this shit up
Seems like a Jewish country song.