Rebecster

The day you where born I was living abroad. I knew your mother was about to give birth and I was rafting on the Orange river. Somewhere -in the middle of the night- I saw the stars and knew you where born. The next day I phoned the Netherlands from a desolate gasstation to be informed you where born. The first granddaughter of our Pinny, Rebbecca’s grandmother.

The years progressed and we had fun. For years I had the game to gift you with presents which made a lot of noise or be bulky. Something you and I loved.

We used to play chess, you being far better than me would sigh with every move I would make. You would make fun of me and tell me “what a stupid move I made”.

We laughed and from that moment I called you -with your permission- Rebecster as you where a “ster” (star) with chess.

The years progressed and contact was sometimes intense and then periods of less contact. No problems, when we had contact this was good.

In Israël we would meet. We started making appointments and one way or the other we would only meet when I would return. Ben Gurion airport would become our “spot”. You told me about your vision and why you went into the army. I told you -Rebecster- how proud I was of you. One of our last meetings we had at the airport we spoke about Pinny and what her vision would’ve been. Our conversation ended in tears. She would have been proud seeing you like that. A woman with a vision and an opinion (all other stuff Pinny would have disliked).

At Robbert’s birthday party we drank whisky and you showed me your tattoo: a symbol of our family. Next day I got myself the same one. I am proud to share this tattoo with you.

I saw you the day before you passed away. Though you couldn’t talk we held hands. Through these hands I felt you saying goodbye. I whispered Rebecster in your ears and the sigh was here.

Rebecster. You don’t know how much I miss you. I do know you are a Rebecster now and at night we wave at each other.

Your loving uncle:

 

Tobias

(And Seb)

Tobias Baruch

Amsterdam