Eulogy for Leonard Moss by Eli Moss
Eli Reads a Eulogy, 6/2/2020
I wrote you a eulogy, Dad
Sad. But not tragic.
Today’s a sad day. Today we say goodbye to my father Leonard Moss. This is a difficult thing to do--the words are hard to find, and they are hard to say. But he always said his goal in life was to “get an A- with a B+ mentality.” Always humble, kind of self-deprecating, but unstoppably determined. So I’ll follow his example. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You’re the expert in tragic drama, so I hope you’ll agree with that. You lived a full, rich life even before it was my fortune to know you. And that breadth of worldly experiences brought color and flavor to my own upbringing and adult life, as well as to the lives of your wife, your daughter-in-law, all your loving relatives, and all your friends and acquaintances. I’m speaking as your son, but also for all of us together. And it’s hard. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You left your mark on me. When I was in pain, you rubbed my back and listened. You had surely been in my place many times, but you never lectured, you helped me figure it out myself. I am in pain now. I miss you. And this is just the sort of thing I would always talk over with you. I know I still can now. And I know you’ll listen. But now I have to find you within myself and within others, and that’s hard to learn to do. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You’re the expert in tragic drama. You tell me what’s tragic. A short life? You stayed with us a blessedly long time. Unfinished business? You created your own identity, brought mom to a new life, you made me, and you brought thousands of pages of new ideas into the world. Is tragedy a lesson never learned? I wrote this for you, since you taught me to write. I edited it obsessively for you, just like I’ve watched you edit your books until you finally had to stop. I’ve heard tragedy is a person without love. No. I love you, since you showed me how to love. You taught me many lessons, and even in these last few long, difficult days, you’ve taught me a couple more. Those were some tough ones. But I’ll learn them. I’ll do my best.
So, not tragic. And possibly not even sad!
Painful, yeah.
But maybe this is what it feels like to think back on a lifetime of joy.
Eli's letter to his Dad prior to his passing.
Back to Burial Ceremony
Last created : 6/2/2020
Sad. But not tragic.
Today’s a sad day. Today we say goodbye to my father Leonard Moss. This is a difficult thing to do--the words are hard to find, and they are hard to say. But he always said his goal in life was to “get an A- with a B+ mentality.” Always humble, kind of self-deprecating, but unstoppably determined. So I’ll follow his example. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You’re the expert in tragic drama, so I hope you’ll agree with that. You lived a full, rich life even before it was my fortune to know you. And that breadth of worldly experiences brought color and flavor to my own upbringing and adult life, as well as to the lives of your wife, your daughter-in-law, all your loving relatives, and all your friends and acquaintances. I’m speaking as your son, but also for all of us together. And it’s hard. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You left your mark on me. When I was in pain, you rubbed my back and listened. You had surely been in my place many times, but you never lectured, you helped me figure it out myself. I am in pain now. I miss you. And this is just the sort of thing I would always talk over with you. I know I still can now. And I know you’ll listen. But now I have to find you within myself and within others, and that’s hard to learn to do. I’ll do my best.
Sad. But not tragic.
You’re the expert in tragic drama. You tell me what’s tragic. A short life? You stayed with us a blessedly long time. Unfinished business? You created your own identity, brought mom to a new life, you made me, and you brought thousands of pages of new ideas into the world. Is tragedy a lesson never learned? I wrote this for you, since you taught me to write. I edited it obsessively for you, just like I’ve watched you edit your books until you finally had to stop. I’ve heard tragedy is a person without love. No. I love you, since you showed me how to love. You taught me many lessons, and even in these last few long, difficult days, you’ve taught me a couple more. Those were some tough ones. But I’ll learn them. I’ll do my best.
So, not tragic. And possibly not even sad!
Painful, yeah.
But maybe this is what it feels like to think back on a lifetime of joy.
Eli's letter to his Dad prior to his passing.
Back to Burial Ceremony
Last created : 6/2/2020
