From Chayala I learned
To be mekabel yissurim (hardships) with love;
To accept the challenges life throws me
That were sent down from above
Through years of struggle
That Chayala endured,
So much thanks to Hashem
On her lips were heard
From Chayala I learned
To focus on the good;
To follow in her footsteps,
I hope that I could
To thank Hashem
For all she was given,
And no matter what happens
To just keep on livin’
From Chayala I learned
To laugh and crack jokes;
Her wisecracks and lines
Were tailored for all folks
She had me laughing
All of the time,
Her quips rolled out of her mouth
On a dime.
From Chayala I learned
To make difficult situations light;
She believed that her bundle
Although difficult, was right
Chayala loved to spread joy;
She loved to smile
When I needed a shot in the arm,
I knew who to dial
From Chayala I learned
How to really care;
She listened intently
To everything I would share
She remembered the details
That each person told;
Deep in her heart
Their words, she would hold
From Chayala I learned
To step into another’s shoes;
She taught by example
How to accept other peoples’ views
She wasn’t judgmental –
She accepted you for who you were.
That people should feel comfortable to share
Was all that mattered to her
From Chayala I learned
To appreciate beauty;
She described in such detail,
Everything, with excitement and glee
The fabric of a new garment,
The shape of each plate,
Chayala taught me
There’s always something to appreciate
From Chayala I learned
How to use intuition –
She understood me so well
More than I understood my own situation
Chayala always had the right words;
She always knew what to say.
No matter what was going on in my life,
She brightened my day
Chaya’s life was a mussar sefer to me,
She taught through actions, quietly.
No big speeches, just how she lived,
Simple truths in what she did
Now that Chayala is not here,
All the lessons she taught
I will carry forever –
Her challenges were not for naught
Chaya was my mashpia,
I learned from her every middah
I hope to follow in her footsteps,
As a faithful and grateful talmidah.
L’ilui nishmas Chaya Rochel bas R’ Yerucham Hakohein