WRITTEN BY SHMUEL T. ADLER

The following heartfelt letter was written by my cousin, Avi Zuber. My cousin’s daughter, Chaya Ahuva a”h, was born just a few weeks ago and she lived for only a few short days. The incredible resilience and strength which my cousin and his wife displayed during these trying times are shown so well, in this following letter which my cousin wrote. May any maasei chesed or mitzvos or any inspiration received from this letter be a zechus for the the neshama tehora of Chaya Ahuva bas Avrohom Eliezer:

Chaya Ahuva’s Legacy:
Chaya Ahuva was only with us for a short time but in that time inspired a tremendous amount of love and selflessness. Even before she was born, people stopped their busy lives to do chessed, organizing tehillim groups, and offering rides and food. People who were dealing with their own pain looked outside of themselves and asked us what they could do. People let us know about mitzvos that they were taking on, davening slower, saying brachos out loud. Strangers showed genuine concern. People who were at a minyan where I asked people to say tehillim were coming over to me days later to find out how things were.
We received fresh eyes. Eyes that see the love, kindness, and self sacrifice for others.
We’ve been getting asked what people can do to perpetuate Chaya Ahuva’s memory. Her short time on this earth was completely surrounded by love and caring. I ask for help to keep that going, to help transform the world so that it more resembles her experience on it.
That friend you haven’t spoken to in a while? Give them a call just to say hi.
That crossing guard you pass a few times a day? The bus driver, taxi driver, waiter at a restaurant, smile and say thank you.
Say brachos out loud with a moment more of kavanah. (G-d definitely deserves appreciation!!)
Be there for people on THEIR terms. (I speak from personal experience when I saw that a warm smile and a hug can be life saving. The people I appreciated the most were those who got in touch to let me know that they were thinking of me and that they were there for me whenever I was ready.)
Let’s reach out and connect with each other. Let’s see what we can do to make someone else’s life better and richer.
Sincerely
Chaya Ahuva’s Tatty
Avi zuber

This is a very well written, emotional, tear jerking letter. It speaks for itself.

I just want to add one thing. I am speaking from my own, many long months and still going, experience. One who has not experienced something like this cannot imagine how far a small, proper chesed or kind word can go. A small gesture could literally be a life-changer and can really give much-needed chizuk to families experiencing crisis like this. Though it may be a little awkward at times, the profound impact it can have, makes it all the more necessary. Sometimes a simple, thoughtful word or deed can change worlds.

One cannot help but be moved by the powerful message this letter says. Let’s take our inspiration and try to bring zechusim for the neshama tehora of Chaya Ahuva a”h and for the entire family.   

May Hashem remove all sadness from our midst and replace it with only happiness and more happiness for everyone.

L’zchus Refua Sheleima Yehoshua Ben Nechama Aliza; L’iluy Nishmas Chaim Pinchos ben Yaakov Yitzchok