The author recounts the poignant moment of learning about Mr. Lindenblatt's terminal cancer diagnosis through a phone call to his daughter, Ilana. This news evokes deep memories of Mr. Lindenblatt's vibrant spirit, illustrated through anecdotes of his past, such as his passion for running, early adoption of alternative foods, and his notable selflessness as a community volunteer. Mr. Lindenblatt's survival of the Holocaust adds a layer of profound resilience to his character, showcasing the impact of his life on those around him despite his impending death.
I hung up the phone, and I thought about Mr. Lindenblatt his first name was Jehuda, pronounced Yehuda, though it feels seditious to even say the first name of a childhood friend's father.
He was receiving a palliative chemotherapy treatment, and the doctors didn't have a guess as to how long he would live: weeks or months.
I thought about how he was a runner, back when it was just called jogging; how he drank rice milk before alternative milks were the style.
And I thought about the fact that Mr. Lindenblatt survived the Holocaust.
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