Dear Bobby,
Today, February 1, you would have turned 98. Almost a century ago, a little redhead baby girl was born.
It is the second birthday without you, and I am still missing you so much. Thankfully the grief has softened a bit and I can think of you and smile. Smile. Thatβs what I think of when I think of you. Your smile. Here is what it meant to me:
It meant ringing the bell to the side door of your apartment building, the buzz as I am let in mirroring the buzz of excitement in my heart. It is the magical vortex I am swirled into as I step inside the place that houses you. It is walking up those echoing metal steps, two at a time, bang, bang, bang. It is entering your hallway, already smelling the chicken soup. It is looking at the 1G on your door, knocking loudly and then letting my fingers press the combination theyβve pressed thousands of times before. It is you meeting me by the door as I open it, your face literally glowing (and no it wasnβt because of your extensive skincare routine). It was watching that otherworldly light overtaking your face as you smiled hugely, skin crinkling around your blue eyes. It is hearing you say, βNechumala! Mamashein! Come in! Oy I am so excited you came!β As if you havenβt seen me in years. As if your heart will pour out of your body into me. As if there was never better moment than the one right now when I showed up by your front door. You will dress up later when we go out but now you are wearing pajamas, a yellow bathrobe and a pink turban. You are still smiling as you wrap your soft, small arms around me. βCome, come, sit down a little,β you tell me and I do. You are still smiling as we walk towards your round kitchen table.
I miss your beaming smile. Today, on your birthday though, miraculously, I can feel it.
Happy birthday Bobby. 98 years ago today, you came into a world that told you you didnβt deserve to stay. You told them you were going nowhere. You lived against all odds. I am so glad you did. I am so glad I had you. Happy birthday Bobbashein.
I love you.
Love,
Your Nechumala
Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment if you enjoyed or if there are any topics you want me to write about.
Written by : Nechama Birnbaum
Nechama Birnbaum is the author of the award-winning, bestselling book, The Redhead of Auschwitz. Her work has been translated into eleven languages. She holds a Master of Science in Nutrition (but her true calling is writing). She teaches Creative Writing in Manhattan High School for Girls. She is a mom of three and their favorite pastime is reading piles and piles of picture books in bed.
I can only imagine how much you miss her! She was so magical and left such a beautiful legacy of strength and pride and perseverance.
Thank you so much Shulamit!
So beautiful! Your comments brought tears to my eyes because I could feel the true love between you and your Bobby.
I was so lucky! Thank you for reading β€οΈ
Beautifully said. We miss her positivity and smile, though you keep it going. What an infectious spirit she had. Happy Heavenly birthday sweet lady. You remain an inspiration to many, including myself of courseπ
Thank you Trish! It means so much that you read it.
Happy Birthday dear Bobby. Nechama, this is the most beautiful tribute I have ever read . . . thank you for sharing your beautiful Bobby.
Aww thank you so much Gini! Thatβs really encouraging!
A loving remembrance. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!β€οΈ
What a beautiful blessing you both had in your lives to have so much love between one another. Grief is so hard. But not having this kind of love in life is harder. Blessings for your Bobby Rose in Heaven Always π«πππ ππππ»π