A Muslim, A Jew, A Costco Parking Lot
David Berman • September 25, 2024
The other day I was loading up my car with stuff I had just bought at the Costco in Yonkers, NY.
Their parking lot is paved over an old Jewish cemetery and there is a large granite memorial located on the left side of the road leading into it recognizing the Jewish Synagogue and cemetery.
As I often do, before I leave to go home and unload my car, I walk to the memorial and say a prayer in their honor.
Well, after I finished saying the prayer, I looked up and turned around, and there was a gentleman in his mid-40’s standing behind me. His family was not far from him walking towards the entrance. They were obviously Muslim – his wife and mother or mother-in-law and kids were all dressed as such. He was wearing jeans and a white long-sleeved shirt with sleeves rolled up.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes” I said, “sure”.
“Were you saying a prayer, were you reading from the Torah?”
“I was saying a prayer for the dead, just wanted to pay my respects to them and make sure they are not forgotten”, I said.
I continued. “The prayer for the dead does not include the thought of death but of life and peace – of looking forward.”
We spoke for another few minutes about life and happiness.
And then we said goodbye, wished each other well, and hugged.
Each on our way in different directions, we looked back at the same time and smiled at each other.
And at that moment, while praying for the dead, my life became brighter and better - forever.
Wishes for a great day to all,
Each one a gift,
David/
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