A life is measured by both what we remember and pass on.

My friend and fellow Subversion developer Ben Collins-Sussman wrote a touching eulogy for his father.

I am reminded of the Jewish honorific: Zai-kher tzaddik livrakha, which translates into "May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing."

While I certainly have zero insights into Ben's thought processes, but being aware of the baby on the way (much nachas!), I also remember the Jewish customs of naming children after recently deceased relatives - usually not with exact, but similar names.

In my own case, I'm named after my great-uncle J. and my great-grandmother (or was it great-aunt? Doh!) R. who both died shortly before I was born. It's just another way we can choose to honor their memories. And, more importantly, it's also a way we can tell our children (and, hence, to eternity) and pass along the stories - "let me tell you why you are named Justin..."

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