I didn't get to speak at my uncle's memorial, but there are some things that I would've liked to have said. So I wrote them down…
I received a pretty chai necklace for my bat mitzvah, many many years ago. Let's not do the math. But I still have it.
I always thought that the idea of CHAI was a beautiful one. The fact that CHAI, or LIFE, should be celebrated… it's a simple, but wonderful idea – and one that not many people think about often enough. When my grandfather passed away a few years ago, I took the old necklace out of the bottom of my jewelry box and started wearing my CHAI every day. To be honest, his name was CHAIM and therefore, wearing the necklace made me think of him. And I felt that – somewhere out there – he knew I was thinking of him… and that made me feel good.
Fast forward from a few years to now. My uncle Ricky passed away about a month ago from a hard fight with cancer, and again – I took the CHAI out from the corner of my jewelry box that doesn't see much attention, and started to wear it again. In this case, a more appropriate symbol could not have been found.
I don't know another person who epitomized life and hope more than Ricky. When he was diagnosed with a cancer that we all knew would eventually get the best of him – he didn't give up or give in. In fact, he did the opposite of that. He said – I am going to fight this… I don't want anyone to be sad or complain. He asked everyone to send him their good, positive energy and thoughts so that he could live the fullest and longest that he possibly could – and that is exactly what he did.
The first thing he did was marry the woman he loved… simple, on a beach – just like they wanted to do. Next, he traveled, he worked, he visited friends and family, he wrote…
He even flew out from California and visited me and my cousin, Shana, in Boston and got to meet our significant others. Walking around the city, he didn't complain – even though I'm sure he was tired from his treatments.
When you live across the country from your family, it's hard to be close…although, I've always felt really close to my cousins in California – despite the distance.
In any case, although I didn't see Ricky as often as I would have liked – there was one quality about him that I always valued and that really connected him to me. This quality was SUPPORT.
When you are an artist – whether it's a singer, actress, model, or improv comedian – support isn't always the easiest to come by…especially from family. This isn't because your family doesn't approve – because of course they appreciate your talent and your interests. But, let's face it - art is never the fiscally responsible choice. It isn't the safe choice. Art isn't the choice that will lead you to supporting yourself and a family in the future…
All of this aside, Rick is one of those people who forever supported my comedy. He was on my email list of upcoming shows – even though he was 3000 miles away from it all. When he came to Boston last year – he saw me perform, even though my slot was at 10pm and that was late - and he got tired easily. Rick never failed to ask me about my comedy. It was the first thing he would mention in an email or phone call. You can't even imagine how much I appreciated that support.
I wasn't the only one who benefited from Rick's support of artistic interest… there are many of us in this Rosenthal family who have pursued some of our dreams, and Ricky always supported us – and reminded us that it was the right choice.
I will always thank him for that. As I'm sure Abby will as well.
In the end, I know that Rick tried his hardest to live to his fullest and hang on as long as he could… for his children, his wife, his brothers, his friends…
He truly made the most out of the time that he had left and for that, we are all thankful.
CHAI.
L'chaim.
To life.
To Rick.
Miss you and love you,
Rachel
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