I am making this speech public because its a hard speech to make public. But it is real. These words came to me in a flurry of clear thinking on life, death, and the meaning of both as they relate to Zev. I wrote most of this speech only a few hours before it was recited at her memorial. She died on my birthday, March 3rd, 2009.

Love,
Grayson
3.3.2010

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In this time of mourning I'd like to ask you all to take a deep breath and consider this: we would all agree that Zev was wise beyond her years and smart as smart can be, right? She loved to learn and loved to teach. Zev was a lover of education - right?

Okay.

So bear with me and consider this:

What if, in the spirit of learning, she chose to offer her life in the name of our education. What if she intended to teach us all through a lesson we will never be able to forget.

What if she wanted to teach us, through the thorough examination of her life, that death is an inescapable part of life, and that we should treat every day as if it is our last, just as she did; to start every day with a smile and live that day with a smile throughout, just as she did.

Doesn't that make sense?

Should we not live as our little Zev lived, and smile with every bite of food, make brushing our teeth a game, and crack jokes about nearly everything? Should we not jump with glee when friends and family come to visit? Should we not tremble with joy when we read a good book, making every character alive and unique?

Again: should we not breathe every breath as if it is our last? Sing every song as if we are on stage? And play like there is no tomorrow?

And what about learning. Zev can teach us all something about that. With every word she read her curiosity inquired, her brain remembered, and the world around her was thus absorbed. Can she not teach us that one of the greatest joys in life is learning?

What's done is done. Death is beyond our control. So why not find the good in all of this? If we look at the good, our Zev is a wise teacher who truly knew how to live. She has taught us about death. And she has taught us about life.

We can chose to do nothing and live empty lives. But we can never escape death. Our time is precious and we must not take it for granted. So why not live as Zev lived?

Zev: as your uncle, friend, and student, I am forever indebted to you for the lessons you have taught me about life.

Thank you for eight years of pure joy.