Coming home from work hungry as always, I reached into my fridge to grab some of the split pea soup I made for dinner last night. While delicious, it is hard for me to eat this soup without tears falling from my eyes. My recipe for split pea soup is a fairly new addition to my family's meals - and it is one of my favorites from my cousin Rashi Minkowicz, of blessed memory.
I have tried over the past four weeks to write this post - and each time I find that I am unable to put my thoughts into actual words - but I have decided that today I will put my thoughts "onto paper", as a letter to my incredible cousin.
Dear Rashi,
To begin with, I want you to know how lucky I feel to have been able to see you on Monday night, March 10. When Mushky told me she was trying to video chat with your beautiful daughters, Henya and Tonia, I told her that was fine. A few minutes later Mushky came to tell me it wasn't working - and I guess I was having a lazy moment, and so I told her that we could try again another day. But then Rashi, you started sending me messages to hurry up and get the chat working because your girls were anxiously waiting to see Mushky. I relented, got up off the couch and headed to my computer. I clicked here and there and lo and behold, there you were holding your cute son Alter. You had this huge smile on your face, and the excitement could be seen in both of our homes as we set our girls up for a chat. We smiled at each other, we said hello and marveled about how fun it was for our girls to see each other - and then we each walked away from the computer. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see you, how could I have known that the very next night you would suddenly be called to heaven? But thank you! Thank you for insisting that I get the video chat working.
While I am thanking you, I should thank you for the huge role you have played in my life. With 6 brothers, I always felt like you were my older sister which I didn't have. Throughout the years you taught me so much, and have done so very much for me. I have this funny memory of you sitting on my bed with me in Berel and Breindy's house when we were both there for school - and you made a puppet show of sorts with your toes - I thought you were so cool and funny! The truth is, that you always knew that one shouldn't take life too seriously - you knew that there is always a place for fun.
When I found out that baby number three was on the way, and I was too tired to move, I shared my news with you, and asked you (a mom of 8!) how I could manage to go to work, run my Chabad house activities and take care of my home as well as Mushky and Shalom. You were so excited for me and also let me know that if you could manage your life, I could manage my life. You taught me that when things seem hard, one still continues on.
In December when we finally! came to visit your family in Alpharetta, I remember marveling at how you had a whole bunch of kids playing with playdo right on your dining room table - I couldn't believe how brave you were! You reminded me of the importance of allowing our kids to do messy things, even when it's a pain to clean it up.
When I needed advice, or needed a recipe I always knew I could always count on you to help me. You were always an incredibly giving person - and that is yet another lesson that I carry with me in my life . Along the way you helped me out in so many situations, and for this I will be forever grateful.
I also want you to know that while you are no longer here with us physically, you live on in our hearts and souls and actions. Each week when I host Torah and Tea, I think about you. Each time I think about rescheduling an event when things get hectic, I remember that you would never consider this to be an option - and always managed to pull everything off, no matter how busy or crazy your day was.
Rashi, you were a shining example of how one should live their life - and I hope that I could somehow manage to accomplish just a fraction of what you were able to accomplish. And please know, that I will be there for Hirshy and your 8 wonderful children. I will do whatever it is that I can to help them as they bravely continue to live their lives. (And don't you worry - I will most certainly make sure to send Hirshy the link to the clothing labels I promised to send you.)
Dearest Rashi, I miss you terribly and I pray for a time when we will see you once again with the coming of Moshiach, may be it be very soon!
With lots of love,
Rashi
Split Pea Soup
Canola oil
Carrots, diced
Onions, diced
Celery, diced
Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh dill, chopped
Fresh garlic, minced
1 bag split peas
Salt
Pepper
Water or chicken stock
Heat some oil in a pot. Add carrots, onions, celery and garlic and sautee until slightly soft. Then add fresh herbs. Then add water and the package of split peas. Season and bring to a boil - then simmer until soup thickens and the split peas break down to create a thick soup.
