Rabbi Judah said in the name of Rav: Just as when the month of Av comes in, we lessen our joy so when Adar comes in, we increase our joy.  (Bab. Tal. Ta'anit 29a).

Strangely, our family has two deaths occuring on the first day of these two months. 

Grandpa Weisberg's death was on Rosh Hodesh Av, when the sages proclaimed that our joy is lessened.  Dad's day of death was Rosh Hodesh Adar, when the sages say that our joy is increased. 

One can ask whether this is meant as a passive affair, i.e. b...