fbpx
[additional-authors]
March 8, 2013

I am moving down the hall into the apartment of a 91 year old woman who recently passed away. I am sad she died, but it was for a good cause. 

My landlord told me she lived in the unit for 30 years.

“She had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital,” my landlord told me.

“Oh,” I said. “I’m sorry to hear that. I used to see her in the hall.”

I would hold the door open for her and she would glare at me.  One time a Mercedes filled with old ladies dropped her off. She looked happy as she waved goodbye. When she saw me she made a face because I took too long to find my key to open the door.

“Yes, life happens,” said my landlord. “What can ya do?”

What could I do, but ask about a dishwasher.

“Yes, all new appliances,” she said.

She was not ready to show me the unit because her family needed time to clear out her belongings. I know it was hard for my mom and my aunt to clear out my grandma’s apartment after she died. It was nice of management to allow the extra time. More time for them to clean.

I haven’t told the guy  who lives next door that I am moving in. I saw him in the elevator on New Year’s Eve bundled up in warm clothes.

“What do you have planned for the big night?” I asked holding my girlfriend’s hand.

“I’m going to the beach and taking some time to reflect.”

I still don't know what to say to him. I'll think of something once I move in. With my neighbors, I usually go with “shhh.”

Moving into a one bedroom will make a difference in my relationship. A studio apartment gets hard for us. When we get in a fight there are barely enough doors to slam.

It's a little weird for me to know the person who lived there probably died there. I guess you have to die somewhere.  It's also weird someone will move into my apartment. Yes, it's small, but it's a good unit with lots of nice memories over the past year–the time my mom wanted to know why I was hanging mirrors over my bed, the time the mirror almost fell on my mom, etc.

Though it would be fun to see how the next tenant redecorates  my old place, I'm not going to be the guy who knocks on the door, like a cocky sophomore visiting his freshman dorm. Let's hope the same goes for the dead lady. May her spirit rid itself quickly. Spirit Clear.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

A Bisl Sukkot ~ Don’t Be Afraid, Go Outside

The sukkah reminds us to go out into the world, especially when the comforts of insularity beckon us closer—to explore paths we have yet to take and seek journeys ready for wandering.

A Harira Hug in the Sukkah

I love making soup for this holiday because even if the days are still warm, the cooler evenings make you start craving something warm and comforting.

The Beat Goes On

While so much of the world seems obsessed with and consumed by its hatred of Israel and Jews, Israelis continue to build, create, work, celebrate, argue, raise families, and plan for the future.

Viral AI Video Targets Jewish Comedian

“The biggest concern is that people now have a pathway to shut down Jewish voices through complete falsities that people will believe. … For the future of Jewish entertainment, it’s very scary.”

Yiddish Historians: Writing in Their Own Language for Their Own People

Mark Smith has compiled an important anthology of Jewish history using 49 works by Yiddish historians to recreate or at least open the door to a world of Jewish thought that was once almost mainstream, but which no longer exists, except in the minds of too few specialists.

The Everlasting Melody

Most Jews who have sung “Eitz Chaim” over the past half-century probably never knew Portnoy. They did not know when he wrote the melody or how young he was when he composed it. They simply knew the song.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.