"Hi, Mom, what pretty needlework." I said as I bent down to gently hug her..

"Hello, Jeanne. You made good time." she commented, "I didn't expect you for another half an hour."

"Yes. No traffic, which is uncommon for this time of day."

While we made small talk about family and friends, Alice quietly set the table and finished preparing the meal. She periodically added comments to our conversation. Thirty minutes later we were all seated at on end of the formal dining room table taking in the garlic smell of Alice's special spaghetti sauce, the scent of fresh baked crescent rolls and the bouquet of a nice Merlot.

Between each bite, all three of us reminisced about times before Dad and Johnny died, when we had the many happy holiday gatherings and birthday parties.

I remembered how surprised I was, at Dad's shiva, when Alice told me that near the end Dad started to garden and would hum while he planted. He never seemed the type to enjoy this type of activity. I thought he would see it as a female thing to do.

Alice talked of his clear baritone as he almost sang the prayers at the Passover seder. He always had such a look of pride when Johnny would read the 'Four questions'.

Mom was sad that Dad never got to visit my house when Michael's family came over for Christmas. She mused that he would probably have enjoyed singing the carols around the piano next to the decorated tree.

I thought Michael's strong tenor voice would have mixed well with Dad's clear baritone. And, as usual, I would sing quietly as not to ruin the sound with my not so perfect singing.

Mom added, "We could have probably made a barber shop quartet with Dad, Michael, Sean, and my Johnny (who by the way looks just like his name sake).

The kids said that they remembered how Dad was a little taken aback at the wake and funeral luncheon for James' grandfather. But then, afterwards, they all agreed that it was a shiva backwards. They reminisced for two days before the funeral and celebrated the person's life afterward. While we said our final goodbyes and then feasted and reminisced for two or three days after.

That night, I went upstairs to my childhood bedroom. It felt the same though the furniture was updated from the twin bed and teenage posters. The room would be comfortable for anyone with the soft-stated elegance that was apparent in all of Mom's decorating.

After the first night, James, Sean and Suzie joined us. Mom slowly deteriorated in the next three days. First she stopped sewing and then we had to start eating at the coffee table in front of the couch. She would nod as we all talked of our fond memories and our lives through the years. Suddenly, there was silence for a second, we all looked up at Mom. She sighed and smiled warmly at something. Then she closed her eyes never to be opened again.

Mom, sitting at your shiva, I realize that I didn't know you had so many friends. We will all miss you very much but all look forward to seeing you again someday.