Yorzeight

A year has passed. Although it wasn't Yom Kippur when Oma passed away, it is this year - no symbolism, just non-synchronised calendars running their own cycles.
Nothing monumental has occurred in the past year, Opa's passing away excluded of course, just another year of running around trying to get by, and not paying enough attention to here and now.
A year of uncounted times I wanted to call Oma to let her know something - a chance meeting that she would have appreciated, a new gem uttered by Maya, news about Gili, and telling her of Elai who is growing faster than a tree; thoughts and frustrations, dilemmas and decisions, good news, bad news - things I wanted to share with Oma. And can't, anymore.
Driving is the worst time - it was always a good time (for me) to call - no one requiring my time, the clarity that being in motion gives me, and the multiple opportunities every day - to speak with Oma if not every day, than certainly several times a week.
There are other people to talk to: Shlomit, Liat & Gidi, friends - but they're not Oma, who somehow managed, while handling an overflowing plate of her own, to always be attentive, and interested, and caring, and not consumed by the events of her life.
The appreciation of a pithy line, even a pun on occasion, a new idea - this was a gift that Oma gave freely to whomever made such an offering, and with her passing, the greatness of this gift of hers, a rare and welcoming quality, becomes more apparent - and more absent.
I guess this might be called "BEing", a trait Oma may have passed on to some of her children - but not to me, and one I sorely miss since she died.
Sorry if I offer no blinding insights above - but I have none to offer, only a sense of loss and a lack of understanding and acceptance of her absence.
I also regret that the 'brilliant' idea of a blog for Oma has not been the success I envisioned for it - life is mundane, and good ideas are few and far between.
Rest in peace Oma, you are remembered fondly by those who knew you.