A LITTLE BOY

Once upon a time a family awaited the birth of a new baby. The gender mattered not for this baby was to be welcomed be it girl or boy. And in a timely manner we came to meet a beautiful little baby boy who immediately stole everyone's heart. Stunning blue eyes, a head of blonde hair which quickly grew into a mop of soft blonde curls and from his first moments he won everyone's heart. Resistance was futile for certainly from the first early smile there was no resistance possible and the harshest frown, the darkest mood transformed. Sounds impossible, merely the babbling of a besotted grandmother, but it truly was not.

Always there was a mischievous streak, not mean, merely another vehicle for laughter and smiles.     At about two and a half years of age at a family celebration, able to wander freely, and as a true lover of chocolate, (my grandson after all), he was in seventh heaven. Despite being told by his mom not a lot of candy, he went to show his mom his treasures. Pockets jammed with candy, mouth as well, hands full with yet more, and a face smeared with already consumed chocolate.

Gently reminded by his mom about too much candy, he simply grinned, looked up at me (a willing accomplice) as he opined in his defense, rather indignantly, falsely accused of a crime, "Chocolate not 'kendy'. Wight!?" To my credit? shame?  I instantaneously responded "Wight!". The result was hearty laughter from all who had witnessed the scene and a family story to be held dear, repeated many times when we needed that laughter. 

This little adorable shining. boy was blessed as well with keen intelligence. He was able, to my shame and amazement, to beat me at games, particularly those requiring understanding of patterns of repetition. Upon playing the first game, I asked his sisters should I let him win so he wouldn't cry, the response was don't worry. He doesn't need help - you do. I needed it. 

Whatever Yitzy took on as a new interest he explored to the fullest. An amazing depth of curiosity allowed him to range far and wide, to delve deep within, and to be exceptional in every endeavor - other than the one which mattered the most. (More on that later.) 

His achievements were many with some generally contradicting each other, not found in one little boy, but in him not so.  An excellent eager achieving student, he loved science, math, Hebrew studies. He wrote well and even had an article of his re birdwatching published. His knowledge and love of birds was mammoth and shared with all. He had serious cameras and binoculars, game cameras, bird houses and feeding stations galore and noted many bird varieties. 

 He flew drones like a pro and walked the paths of Nature in and around Pittsburgh with a willing best buddy - his dad. For hours on end, they explored, touched Nature, admired G-d's creations, for his faith was pure, unsullied, trusting and deep. Yitzy eagerly and generously shared his knowledge, helped fellow students, asked good questions in his drive to know and understand. 

Yet with all those amazing aspects he was a little boy with little boy needs, with other little boys to share in play moments, especially in sports. A natural at any sport he took up, baseball was his love. An amazing left-handed pitcher, a powerful batter, a fast runner with a love of base stealing, he could not understand why others shook his hand as he was merely playing baseball and being the best he could at it. Always kind to all, with none of the ugliness which could accompany sports.

Yitzy. Son, brother, grandson, friend, student, athlete and so much more. A true synergy of all aspects of Yitzy. As he grew, he was developing into a promising young man with much to give to the world. Adored by his sisters and his brother,  cherished by his parents, looking forward to high school, to bar mitzvah and suddenly the world turned to gray ash.  

Disaster struck. He was diagnosed with embryonic myorabdosarcoma. A monster.  A shock through the heart to all. An entire community came together in an outpouring of grief, and a wanting to help in any way they could. All came together.  Yitzy was their friend too, and we were amazed at the power of Yitzy to create positive relationships with so many.     After a year of fighting, Yitzy could fight no longer. All the love of his family, his friends, his many worlds were not enough to keep him safe. The wonderful staffs of CHOP and Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, who adopted him, could not forestall the end. And in December, on Chanukah, Yitzy went to a better place, leaving behind so many bereft, unable to be comforted, a loss so deep its depths could never be plumbed. His last wishes- a Torah to be written in his name and to not be forgotten. As if. 

The Torah was written and will be dedicated on September 1, 2024, on Yitzy's Day, so designated by the City of Pittsburgh, an action initiated by those of the baseball world along with a dedication and naming of the school campus for Yitzy, a street by the baseball field named for him and next year a retirement of his #2 jersey. The heart overflows as do the tears. And the love, the gap in our lives and the lives of so many will never be lost.

Please read the following and you will see that this is not merely the words of a grieving grandmother but the words and feelings of so many.

Yitzy was taken way before his time. 

A wound never to be healed. An argument with G-d still  ongoing.

That was a very touching tribute to a very loved and accomplished young man. Thank you for sharing, 

What an amazing soul

What kiddushei Hashem he accomplished

What wonderful olam haba he has earned 

Kivi and Chan must also be recognized for their zchusim in bringing Yitzie into this world and for  raising him to be what he was

I wish I had known him when he was with us and even now it's clear his goodness is with us in the people he inspired

Yehi zichro baruch

 

On Wed, Jul 31, 2024 at 1:12 AM Mails Received  wrote:

Thanks for sharing.  Brought tears to our eyes.  On a happy note, made us feel good that that special boy is being honored. Again, thanks for sharing this news. S&E

 

Very touching and honorable.  May the memory of Itzi be blessed

What a beautiful honor to perpetuate his name and memory in a מקום תורה. May his neshama have an Aliyah.

So meaningful.

His Neshama should have an Aliya and the family should have a nechama.

your grandson is continuing to give you naches from his place in Gan Eden. May his neshama have an Aliyah and may your family find Nechama from this beautiful tribute. Gitty and Avrom.

Amazing. Someone so young made such an imoression on everyone

Kol hakavod may yitzys neshama have aliya and he made a kiddush Hashem

I’m responding with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful gesture on behalf of the city council and what a beautiful boy Yitzi was.

We watched the video and once again were so impressed for all the accolades Yitzy z”l received. Hoping all these little pieces of joy start to help you all heal. Sending love and warm hugs! Marilyn and Armin