last night, we went to joe’s synagogue with his family because his sister and her husband were being blessed as new members. i really enjoy the services because, even though i can’t understand the hebrew, it’s very peaceful. at the end of the service, the congregation recites the mourner’s kaddish, which is a prayer for those who have died. at that time, the rabbi reads the names of those who have died within the last year and those for whom it is the anniversary of their deaths. the families of those listed stand if they are there. the rabbi was reading through the list of names and said, “joe schulman.”

joe turned white. his dad and i, who were sitting on either side of him, backed away, and his dad touched his head to make sure he was still warm. it was disconcerting, and poor joe was a little anxious.

after the service, we asked nana if she had heard that, and when we told her she said, “oh. it must have been someone else named joe schulman.”

i love nana.