By Alex Berger
But, much too often it is a child who is taken first, deepening the tragedy. The following stories describe two family's anguish at the loss of their child. Jack and Eve Berger of Flushing, my brother and sister-in-law, were the parents of three children. Jeffrey was the youngest. I followed his rise to adulthood with admiration Ð numerous scholarships, Princeton University graduate, medical school, and a major participant in the search for a cure of macular degeneration, a condition that leads to blindness. Eve “kvelled” proudly as medical journals admirably wrote about Jeffrey's accomplishments in this field. Jeff was also a New York Giants football fan and I brought him to many games.In 2001, Jeff was suddenly hospitalized with a stomach ailment. At the same time, the Giants became champions of their division and were going to play in the Super Bowl in Tampa. Before we left, I telephoned Jeff in the hospital and said we were going to cancel our trip, but Jeff said, “Go to the game, Uncle Alex, and bring back a victory.” We arrived in Tampa, and at the hotel's check-in counter we were paged: “Call home!”We knew before the call that Jeff had died. At the funeral, there were literally hundreds of doctors and admirers to pay final respects. Jeff died at 37, leaving his wife and three children. Even now, at night, Jack and Eve's pillows are filled with tears.I was invited to interview Whitestone's Murray Lake, the World War II hero for a Veterans Day column. When the interview with Murray was over, I learned that the Lakes had lost their only daughter, Sheila, in an automobile accident a few years ago. She left two children. “Losing a parent, a brother, or a sister, is terrible enough,” Murray said, “but the worst thing that can happen to any human being is losing a child.” Even now, at night, their pillows are filled with tears.His wife, Margie, who had never written a poem before, dedicated one to Sheila, titled “Alive Alone.” “In the middle of the night Everything seemed so very right.June 17, 1993 was the dateTo rememberI just hate. We both slept so soundlyWhen the phone rang Ð piercing, loudly Of the accident Lance informed themAnd I recall when The drive to the hospital was the longest yet.Shivering, frightened and weeping, my face all wet.To G-d I prayed all the time not to take the only child of mine.But He wouldn't listen to my cries; I shall never see her with my eyes.He also took Eugenie, my younger sisterAnd to myself I whisper, Oh! G-d, instead of them, why didn't you take meBecause that's the way life should be. I miss you, my vivacious, beautiful, precious daughterLance and Kim are left without their mother.At the age when they need her the mostWithout her, they feel so very lost. . . .I'm going through shock, numbness and despairSheila, my darling, your sudden and violent deathWas so unjust, so unfair.How can I express my sorrowI can't hold you today or tomorrow.How I survive I just can't tellI only know that I'm going through hell. When the realization sets in I feel so badIn silence I think I am going mad.I'm trying to cope with lots of pain. I'm the childless mother againSearching for an answer in vain.I loved you so very much and I miss the softness of your touch.The concern you always showed me I missAnd I will never get another kiss.My only child has died and I'm getting so very tired.If what “they” say is right,You'll meet Grandma Rose and Eugenie on the other side.There will be many others too, don't fear,They all loved you and will stand by you very near.But I'll try to carry on For our loved ones Ð the best I can, waiting for the day, When we'll meet again.My nights are mostly sleepless and then I get so restless.So, when sleep doesn't come through my life I roam.Thinking, missing and yearning for youTill it's light Ð In the middle of the night!” Jack, Eve, Murray and Marge, tonight many of our pillows will be filled with tears also. There are also tears on our pillows for all the American soldiers lost in battle.
