. The End, or rather a New Begining...) X:::SABA ELYHU. (x Photos Karen, Eliya and me ) X photos of lemons , lemonad and myself at eighty two

     I never considered myself to be a 'Religious' person; 'A Spiritual one' Yes!' I could never agree            with some of the Biblical Commandment, which one of them the 'Orthodox Jews' interpreted to be "Do not drive on the Sabbath!"(Our one and only Day of Rest!)  My small family of four seldomly went to Synagogue, except during the' High Holiday' of 'Yom Kippur'; the "Day of Atonement". We celebrated  the Jewish Holidays with our extended family members of beloved 'Uncles, Aunts and Cousins, who  lived in the three 'Main Cities' of Israel; Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv, as well as in two Agricultural Settlements... Since I was the youngest among my cousins, I always enjoyed the Love, which is usually given to the 'Family Baby'. I am proud to say that I was not at all 'Jealous', when 'Ahuva'le, my beloved  baby cousin, was born and 'Took Away' my place as the 'Family's Baby'; on the contrary; I fell in love  with her tiny fingers, soft blond hair, blue eyes and rose color lips! She would become my 'Living Doll!'  

   As I was growing up, my 'Greatest Wish' was to discover the 'Big World' I heard and read about, in the many books I brought home from the library... I was especially intrigued by the U.S.A, the  United Stats  of America, which' was waiting for me, outside Israel, my small country of birth, which was sharing the borders with our three Hostile Arab Neighbors: Egypt, Jordan and Syria; who were trying to conquer our tiny and vulnerable country time and time again... As I grew up I decided to become a 'Psychologist' and  just  like my 'Vegetarian Parents', I was always looking for 'Unconventional Methods of Healing', like 'Hypnotherapy', 'Voice Dialogue' and several others... 

  After completing the two years of my Military Service, I traveled to the U.S.A, where I registered the    "University of Detroit" and was 'Earning a living', by teaching Hebrew, Bible and Jewish History, at a local Hebrew School during the afternoons... Years later, after I received my "PHD" as a Psychology Doctor, I would discover a 'New Tool' named 'Clinical Hypnotherapy', which would became my main   and most important 'Tool of Healing!' My office walls were decorated with the many 'Diplomas', which    I gathered throughout the years; among them was a 'short prayer' which I particularly liked: "Dear God please grant me the Strength to accept the things I can not Change, the Courage to change the things I   can and  the Wisdom to know the difference"...      

   As time passed by I learned that "The End of the World", does not necessarily have to be Something Bad; it actually means the 'End of Disagreement, Separation, Fears, Hatred and Wars on our planet! Those who may be worried or frightened, are told that "All you have to do, is try to forget the fact that you 'Can not Remember"... At times, when my 'Inner Child' seems to be sad or worried, I would whisper in it's ear "Cheer up kid and listen to the following 'Old Saying': If life is giving you Lemons; you could always make Lemonade!" X(photo of lemons and lemonade)

  Throughout our Life's Journey, we may experience periods of great Joy, as well as deep Disappointments Like the time I got sick and had to stay home, while my Classmates were going on the Yearly School Trip which was the 'High Light' of the Year... People may forget some of their 'Unfulfilled Dreams and Wishes' but they always remember the Pain they felt after finding out that, that the 'One we Love so much, is 'In Love' with someone else... As I write these lines, Israel my beloved country of birth; is fighting for it's  Survival' once again, just as it did during the 'War of Independence', when I was four years old...    

   This current war seems to be one of the most dangerous, Israel ever experienced... Never before          did I doubt, Israel's ability to 'Win the War!'  Now, for the first time things seem to be different...The   Arab countries, which are sharing with Israel three borders; Syria, Egypt and Lebanon, never hid their desire to destroy this tiny country; trying to do so time after time, since 1948, after the United Nations declared Israel to be the "Legitimate Country for the Jewish People!" Since then, this young and small country, was defeating it's enemies again and again, paying' with the lives of  the young Israeli solders       I have always been worried about the future of my 'Country of birth' and was feeling guilty, for being  able to live in peaceful and sunny California'... 

   During this lingering war, all I was able to do, besides worry and mourn the loss of young solders      was wishing it will soon be over and was praying for a 'Final and Lasting Peace in the Middle East!' I am able to feel the pain of those who lost a 'Loved One' in the war and feel guilty, for living safely in  the U.S while Israel, is forced to fight for its life! As the years passed by, I have learned that 'Death, is not the 'End of the world', it actually makes room for a "New Beginning!" We have been told that Death, is actually a    'Corridor' to the next Dimension'... It is 'Heart Breaking', to witness the suffering of so many people, when all I can do to help, is sending more donations and pray for a"Lasting Peace" in the Middle East; Peace which is going to open the doors to the "5th Dimension"; Our peaceful New Home, to  which we are supposed to arrive after our physical death...  

  On December 7th, I slipped in our garden and broke my left leg... It was the same day when Israel's  latest war began...  While many people (mostly my age group) are suffering from Health Issues, typical   to "Old  Age", I have been staying at home, going over my Blog; correcting mistakes and dealing with  the pain of my 'Broken Ankle'. I have written before that one of my greatest pleasure, during childhood was to spend time with my beloved Grandfather; 'Saba Eliyahu'! Many years later, after Eliyah, my one and only Granddaughter learned to talk, I would say to her: x"I am your Savta," (Grandma in Hebrew) "What are you to me?" and was listening with delight, to her 'Baby Voice' saying:"Savta, don't you remember how you always say that I am the "Love of Your Life? "

   I would like to share with you dear readers, that two years ago after I turned Eighty, I was diagnosed with the beginning of "Dementia": 'Memory loss'... So far, science was unable to discover a proper cure  for this disease... I met with our Family's Lawyer, in order to find out a legal and peaceful way, to "Get  out of the Body"; when this 'Dementia' begins to take over... By the way one of the great gifts I received  at my birth, was 'Freedom from Fear!'  Besides Traditional Therapy, I was always looking for new and 'Unconventional ways of healing', like Clinical Hypnotherapy, which became the 'Main Tool' of my work enabling me to remove my clients 'Emotional Pain', not only from the Present, but also from their 'Past Lives' as well... By doing so, I was helping them to 'Let Go' of the painful emotions, which people may carry, as a result of difficulties in their 'Past life' periods... My father once told me, that when people get old: "Life seems to pass by 'way to fast!... He said that this is the reason, we should always be grateful   for the 'Good Times' we are blessed with and pray for more to come; not only for ourselves, but for the world and the people and the animals which are sharing it with us!  

   It is hard to believe that I have just written the 'Final Page' of my Book! I am experiencing a mixture    of joy, excitement and a great satisfaction; mixed with a few drops of sadness, since it is now the time to say my final Good By... I wish to thank you my dear readers, for allowing me to share with you my "Life's Story", wishing I could help you remove the 'Pain and heavy Burdens', we all face during this very 'Long Journey' to the Fifth Dimension...  However because of my 'Advancing age (82), there is a good chance  that I may not have to wait in the 'Long Line to Paradise'... In such a case I promise to save you a very 'Good seat' next to me, before we take off... May we all enjoy a Safe Journey to our up coming home in the Fifth Dimension... See you there!

 With love and light, Shira 

                                                     

                                                                         THE END  

                                                          (Or rather a New Beginning)                                                                                                                                             

                                                                  

                                                                      

 

Almost The End XXX (Musical notes and photos of gusts from around the world..(?). X X picture of me now VX

Hello everyone,

   For a while, I was encouraged by few of my Blog Readers, to turn my blog in to Book: "It seems          that you had a very Interesting Life, Shira! XI was told X You should write a book about it!" "What do   you mean by 'Had'? I still Do!" Came my answer... Unlike some in my Age group (82) I feel lucky to     be in a  "Good Health. I have recently notice that my 'Sense of Humor was down a bit'...  After going through an 'Unpleasant moment of 'Memory Loss', I was encouraged by my doctor, as well as family members and close friends, to take a test for the possibility of Dementia or Alzheimer... Unlike most people in my age group, my memory is still strong (most of the time ) After my last Check up, I was advised by my Primary doctor, to make an appointment at Cedar Sinai Hospital, for Memory Loss Test which would last 'Five Hours'... By the time this ordeal was over I was not only tired; I was Exhausted      I could see the concern of my family members and friends and was trying to cheer them up, by joking "The best thing about memory loss, is forgetting we are losing it!" I told them...

  I was surprised when my Dr R. left me a message, asking for Rabbi Karen Deitsch (my daughter) to    call him in order to discuss my Test Results..."Why does he want to talk to my daughter and not to me?"    I was wondering... Karen, who called me after their conversation, sounded very calm (a bit to calm)...   "Tell me what did the doctor say Karen? Is it Dementia, Alzheimer or half and half?" I was joking, but    she did not laugh, insisting there will not be a final diagnosis, until I see one more doctor, "A Specialist"     in order to come to the final conclusion...A month later I took one more Test, which lasted one hour only (Thank God!) I have written before about Cousin Marcia (Al's Cousin) who came with me to see the doctor, in order to discus the results of my Medical Tests..." Marcia! You sound more Nervous then then    I am!'  It seems that "Fearless Shira, is now facing one of the biggest Health Challenges, she ever faced and expects to come through with "Flying Colors!" 

   I have written before about my parents, who were among the 'Early Poisoners who established the     First Vegetarian Village' in Israel... They refused to use Fertilizers, claiming it was Poisoning the X frute and the vegetables: "People should Never Eat Meat!, just think of the Terrible pain, these poor animals experience, when they are slaughtered! 'We have No Right to make them Suffer; animals want to live, just as much as we do!" I was able to understand why people kill snakes and other 'dangerous creatures', who  may attack us, but what did the the 'Poor cows, lambs, chickens or the cute rabbits do? They never harmed any one, how terribly cruel it is to cause them suffering and worst of all: Eat Them!" Some of my school friends parents came to our house, complaining that because of me, their kids are refusing to "Eat Meat"! It gave my parents the opportunity of trying to convert' as many as many people as they as they could to Vegetarianism... 

   My vegetarian parents were also practicing "Yoga" and ״Meditation״, which they learned from books      way before it became popular in the Western World... There was a large library in our house, most of the books were about 'Health and Proper Eating': "How to Avoid Toxic Food, Say No to Western Medicine! You are what you  eat," as well as few other books... I would eventually 'Inherit' all these books, since    my 'Meat Loving' brother, ,who rebelled against our parents and their "Crazy Vegetarianism!" declared    he had no interest in these 'Stupid Books!" and told me I may take them all!'  Reading was always one     of my greatest Passions! I did my best to be a devoted loving wife and mother, while teaching Hebrew and 'Jewish Studies' at a local Temple Hebrew School.  Eventual, we left Puerto Rico moved to Atlanta   in Georgia and later to our first home in California; settling in Los Angeles, where I would eventually become a Clinical Hypnotherapist and move on, to receive my PhD in Psychology. "It seems that Shira never stopped going to school?!" My astonished youngest nephew told his parents...

  Throughout the years, Al and I created several groups of friends in Los Angeles. Other friends, came     and stayed with us, for long or short visits; they arrived from New Jersey in the East Coast, where Al grew up, as well as from  N.Y, Florida, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico, Israel, Italy and France.We loved these visits, which came to an end, when an Uninvited Guest; the" Corona Virus Pandemic', arrived to California and was spreading around the Globe... The death toll was rising and the people stayed home afraid to go out... We were all 'Glued' to the T.V screen, watching with horror, how this Pandemic was sending thousands of sick people, to over crowded Hospitals and Morgues... As the Death Toll from the Corona Virus was rising, socializing came to a complete stop!  People no longer  invited to visit friends homes for Dinner Parties, Barbecues or other occasions; they stoped going to the theater, concerts and many other kinds of gatherings... Every one was horrified by this new disease which was spreading like    a Wild Fire all around the world!          

   Besides the Pandemic, other disasters were taking place around the Globe: We were able to see on       the television screen; Civil Unrest, Political Corruption, Elections Fraud, Rape, Ban of Legal Abortions Books were removed from schools and the bitter Long War between Russia and Ukraine, gave birth to  fear and rumors of an up coming Third World War! on the Television sets, we could see the Wild Fires which were consuming forests, followed by torrential rain, floods and starving sick refuges with their children, who escaped to the United States, from the wars and poverty in their country of birth, hoping    for a better life and have their hopes and dreams for a better future, crushed in front of their eyes, before being sent back to the country from which they fled...     

  After the Corona Pandemic came under control I was finally able to deal with my deep pain, over          the lose of my beloved husband and best friend of fifty years... I went back to my work, specializing in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Voice Dialog.  At one point I became a bit concerned about the strange cloud   of "Forgetfulness", which was invading my brain from time to time..."Why don't you Meditate Shira, as    you tell us to do, it really helps you know!" My clients were telling me, after I shared with them the latest diagnosis about the Dementia..."Did you forget that I amXfree of Fear!?" Came my answered I have to admit that in spite of my Bravery, I was finding myself going through some 'Dark Moments' of my own However, I needed to help my clients and couldn't afford to indulged in worries or fears and was pushing    myselfe to get over it fast!   

   I can't remember when I first noticed that "My Memory", I was always so proud of, was beginning to slow down... For the first time in my adult life, I was experiencing 'Real Fear'..."What if my Memory is going to disappear and the doctors are unable to find a solution to the problem?" I was always searching for Alternative Healing Methods... Besides my work as a Psychologist and a Hypnotherapist, I always  commanded  Proper Nutrition, Meditation, Acupuncture and other 'Natural Help', besides Conventional Medicine; always looking for the 'Latest information about "Dementia", trying  to help my poor father who suffered  from Memory Loss and never stopped looking for new ways of healing for my clients friends, family members and now for myself...  

  I would like to invite you, my dear readers, to visualize yourselves lifting up your glass  of wine and sing together the familiar song from the Musical" Fiddler on the Roof":XLet's drink to Life Lechaim; Lechaim, Lechaim to Life!"! Then hold up the wine glass and add; "To Life in the Fifth Dimension!" X Below are several photos of my granddaughter Eliya, the dog 'Dog Lover', who is holding, hugging and kissing the few dogs which belong to our small family in California and declaring she is going to become a Veterinarian!

Savta Shira with Eliyah	Eliyah and Koah	Eliyah with Moses	Eliyah and Bear

With Love and Light,
Shira

Unexpected Challenges. XX Photos below Add more V , Photo of Karen Eliya Greg nd me X

Name/ photos of ambulance and hospital

Essie (Ace)

    Several weeks after my birthday celebration, my granddaughter Eliya, asked me to take her for a swim at our pool...After Al's passing, Karen asked Essie (Al's devoted Care Taker)  if he would stay, in order to keep me company:X"So my Mother and I, wouldn't be all by  themselves in such a big house!" Essie happily agreed and was embraced by all the family members as if he was always a part it...This time however Essie wast not at home and in spit of Ellie's protests, I insisted that we wait to swim until he comes back, since we should always have someone near by, when we go swimming! At one point after his return, Karen and I got out of the pool and began to walk up the stairs, in order to change our wet 'bathing suits',when I  slipped and began 'Tumbling Down'...Even though I did not break any limb before; the sharp pain in my    left leg told me it was broken! I called for Essie, Al's 'Care Taker', who came running and instructed him    to phone Karen and Greg and call for an Ambulance! My pain told me it was not just a 'Simple Fall' and    after arriving to the hospital, I was told that my Left leg was broken in Two Places!   It all took place on ״December 7th״, when the horrifying Murder (rather slaughter) of young Israelis, who were peacefully sleeping, took place after celebrating an evening of singing and dancing during their yearly summer vacation...

   My poor Granddaughter Ellie, was sitting on the sofa crying... In spite of my terrible pain, I was doing my best to comfort her: "I will be all right Sweetheart, don't be so scared; I slipped and hurt my leg, not   a big deal!  Didn't You ever fall and hurt yourself?" I told her as calmly as I could, while cringing with pain "But I heard you say that you think your leg is broken!" Eliyah answered in a trembling voice."Don't worry my baby, even if it is broken the doctor would fix it!" I told her. The ambulance took me to 'Argent Care Clinic' in the near by hospital and after a long (and painful) waiting, the 'Ex Ray' showed that my ankle was broken in two places... I was fitted with a 'Temporary Cast' and was allowed to go home and make sure to stay in bed, for the following two weeks, before coming back to the hospital in order to find  out if the 'Broken Bone' was mending. x"In case it was not, you will probably have to undergo a surgery and be fitted with a cast"... I was told 

   After returning home, I was sleeping most of the time; thanks to the powerful 'Pain Killer Medicine'    the doctors prescribed... Being an active person, made it challenging and frustrating to be Restricted to Bed! Helen, my 'Spiritual Advisor, said that Humanity is about to move from the 3rd Dimension, which   is our present home, to the '5th Dimension'; our Spiritual Home..."Your job Shira, is to write a book, in order to prepares people for this Highly Important up coming event!" I was told by Ellen that until the accident, I did not find the time to write, since I was always busy with my school s well as teaching and seeing clients and friends... It seems as if the only way to make me sit and write the book, was to"Break    a leg", in order to 'Put me down', in order to X 'load me' with information, regarding the upcoming big changes which  Humanity is about to go through...

    In spite of my optimism and sense of humor, I was having doubts, regarding my 'New Job', of prepering People for the up coming journey, to the 5th Dimension. In the meantime, I had to be 'Restricted  to Bed' experiencing a new and unfamiliar emotion of feeling sorry for my self.. I read alot, wrote in my blog and watched TV...  I was glad to see my friends and family members, who came to visit... My "Playful Inner Child", was handing my visitors crayons and markers; to decorate my cast, a request  they enthusiastically agreed to fulfil...! It was amusing to watch the joy and 'Childish Excitement', on the face of my 'Grown Up' friends, whose 'Playful Inner kids' were set free... It seemed as if an invisible door opened up, so we could go back in time, to the care free days of childhood, when there was nothing as exciting as drawing  on the Cast which was covering my broken leg...

  Two weeks later, the doctor called to inform  me, that the Bone was not mending...           A Surgery would be necessary after all and I have to go back to Cedars Sinai Hospital  While in the hospital, I befriended a few of the medical staff and was sharing with them   the information about "Oneness Consciousness and Unconditional Love. My new friends were nodding their heads hesitantly, probably wondering, why I was not 'locked up' in the  Psychiatric Word... I found a 'Handful of people' (mostly from the Cleaning Crew) who were fascinated by my theories of the 'After Life' and asked for my phone number, so they could come for Hypnosis Sessions... Back home I was lying in bed, using Al's old Wheel Chair to move around and was 'Feeling sorry for myself, an emotion which was foreign to me... Even though I was an avid reader, I found myself unable to concentrateon and was trying to find the right position for my Broken Leg, which was now in a heavy cast... I was restless and irritable, which was not at all like me, and was spending most of my time in bed; watching Television and programs I usually don't look at...

   On the morning of October 8th, I woke up early, feeling sorry for mysel and was turning around in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position, for my broken leg   I turned on the television, which during these long weeks of isolation, became my 'Life Line', to the outside world and was alarmed and shocked to learn about the Horrific Massacre, which took place at the Nova Festival in Israel, where women men and children,were brutally attacked, raped, killed then taken hostage to the Tunnels of Gaza...

   I was calling my family and friends in Israel, to find out how they were all doing. Everyone seemed to be in a state of shock! As the days passed on, more terrifying information began to arrive, describing the Brutality and Torture, which the kidnapped Israelis were experiencing, at the hands of the"Hamas Terror Organization"... During the first three months after my surgery, when I was practically bed ridden, my life lines, besides the telephone, included the American and Israeli Television News Stations. In spite of my usual Optimism, I was experiencing moments of deep adness, unfamiliar loneliness and feelings of loss and depression, trying my best, not to sink into Melancholy and Self pity, the way my poor clients did

   Many years ago, my mother told me that "Turning Old is not a Picnic"... When Karen was a baby Al  and I used to fly to Florida, to visit his 'Widowed Father', as well as several aunts and uncles from New Jersey, who moved to Miami after retirement; in order to escape the cold and freezing winters of New Jersey... I was deeply touched by the joy and excitement, they all welcomed us with, and the Love they   all showered on our baby Karen... Their Loneliness and longing for their grandchildren in New Jersey broke my heart... Now, after experiencing the loss of my grandparents, parents, relatives and good friends I was wondering if during the time we become their age; Al and I would also be going through the same feelings of pain Isolation and lonlines...

   In order to shake away these gloomy thoughts, I would tell myself the 'Magical Words':"Delete, Delete" and use the power of Positive Thinking, as well as my Creative Imagination and Visualization, to chase these thoughts away... However, lying alone in bed and looking at the cast on my broken leg, did not do much to encourage my 'Positive Thinker' to show up... What did help was spending time with my tiny family; Karen, Greg and sweet Granddaughter Eliya... I was talking to some of my 'New friends' in the hospital, who were having  problems with their 'Hearing or Seeing'  and were suffering from different degrees of Dementia and decided to go back to the 'Transcendental Meditation', which I learned years  before at the 'Center of Actualization', I was also allowing myself to shed a few tears during the times        I was 'feeling sorry for myself '...   

Several mouths would pass, before the cast was removed and I was able to walk again.In the meantime     I was mostly in bed, watching on T.V, the war in Israel, which was raging for months,while the hostages were held in the Underground tuneless of Gaza... Israel seemed to be torn apart politically; many in the south of the country were killed and wounded, while others were evacuated to the center of Israel... It seemed as if the whole world has been going Mad and the peaceful old way of life, which we  have experienced until now, will never come back...The few friends  in my age group (81) were having all kinds of Health Issues and were losing their Memory, as well as getting in and out of hospitals...    

   Our familiar way of life seemed to have changed forever! Waves of Antisemitism began to spread         in the U.S, Europe and other parts of the world... Violent Demonstrations and Political Disagreements  have been taking place almost on a daily basis. On the T.V screen we could see the violence and chaos    at  High schools and Universities... Dark rumoars about an up coming Third World War, were spreading around like black clouds, pushed forward by winds of Hatred... I kept on reminding my self that things  are not always Bad and life seems to go on after all: Kids are busy with their games and spring is on it's way, ready to paint over the 'Grayness of winter', bautiful colors of spring... I was unable to stop watching the news about the fate of our Israeli soldiers and was worried about those, who were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, while trying to keep in touch with my family members and the few close friends I still have in Israel; my beloved vulnerable small country of birth... 

   Even though I am not Religious, I often close my eyes and prey for Peace... Reminding myself that  Hope is stronger then Fear, Laughter wipes away Tears, Joy is greater then Sadness and Love overcomes Hate...The recovery of my Broken leg has been taking a long time...When we celebrated my grandchild's  Seventh Birthday, she said to me: "You know Savta, sixth years old is still young, but Seven....Wait until  you turn Eighty One!" I pointed at myself and my "Ellie" burst into a loud laughter and gave me a hug!

Celebration XX V, Photos Moved add a photo of me at eighty.(Al's age) OO

   Al and I bought our first home about a year after moving to California...It was a two-story red brick house, located in Studio City; with a small pool and room for a garden, where our three year old daughter, Karen,  'helped us' plant some flowers and carrots... We added a "swing set",  a small 'Play house' and were ready to 'Finally Settle Down'... Both Al and I were very social; we loved guests, enjoyed entertaining the new friends we made in L.A., and the visitors who flew in from  N.Y, New Jersey, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico, Italy and guests from Israel...We were able to convince  a handful of family members, from the East Coast; to join us as 'Permanent Residents' in our Sunny California: Al's younger brother Steve, who just graduated from Law School, in the east coast, came from New Jersey, to live near us, cousin Marcia, younger then me in two years, who became my beloved 'Cousin in Law 'Soul sister and 'Best friends'... I was delighted, to be a part of a warm and loving family with whom we would celebrate our holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversary's and be together for one another in difficult and painful times ,which 'Life' may put on our way', from time to time...

   The years were passing by fast, before realizing it, our 'Little Karen' ,who lived for a while in            New Zealand, Australia and Israel, moved back to the U.S. to study at Hebrew Union Collage.               We never 'dreamt', that our  'one and only daughter', would become an Ordained Rabbi...Al and                 I found ourselves, going through the "Empty Nest Syndrome" and decided it may be time we             also  make a change...We began to look for the right house and eventually found one... It was       partially  built, which enabled us to  have our own input during the process of completing it!  The fact we were very busy with this new project, left us with little time, to worry about our ''Nomadic' Only Child, who was "Still Running all over the world!", just like the two of us did alone and together, so many years before...

   Our first house in Studio City was located at the Bottom of a tall mountain (No view). The new one       in Sherman Oaks, was built on Top of the tallest mountain in the neighborhood and had 'Breath Taking' view from three sides... There was enough space for a garden, several fruit trees and a small swimming pool at the Backyard'. There was room for a Swing Set and a small Play House, for our future Grandchild Eliyah, who would arrive several years later, after Karen received her credentials as a 'Rabbi' and settled down in Studio City, one street away from her childhood home... Eventually, years later it would be the very same neighborhood, where she would be living with Greg and our 'One and only' beloved Grand daughter Eliyah'...

                       Our newly built home, pool, garden and ' Karen's Playhouse' in Sherman Oak

  Al and I lived in our new home for many blissful years... It was a good life! Just as in our previous      home, this one, was also full with friends and visitors; who came from all over the world...Years later     after Al's passing, at the age of Eighty three, it was good to have Karen and her tiny family, live near      by... It would help me deal better with the loneliness I was left with, after my beloved husband's Al's departure... At one point, as my 80th birthday was approaching, I was asked by Karen, to give some thoughts and ideas, to the place I would like to celebrate it...  After considering several options, Karen  and I decided, that rather  then having the party in a restaurant, we would celebrate it at my present    house in Sherman Oaks, the place Al and I created together and enjoyed so much...

    Women only were invited... Among them several of Karen's school friends,who used to be frequent       visitors at our Studio City home... Since we had only one child, Al and I were always delighted to have   Karen's friends at our home! Her friends knew, that besides being a Psychologist, I was a Hypnotherapist   a fact which fascinated them...They often shared their problems with me and I loved to work with them (Free of charge!) After receiving their parents consent... In the following years, these former Teens, got married had kids and delighted me with an occasional visit ...Through out the years, after Al's passing Karen X would invite these friends to celebrate my birthday at our home, together with few of Albie and my friends:xX"Those who are still Ticking!" (As Al used to say) After considering several options for the party, Karen and I decided to have a "Five O'clock Tea", like the one I was introduced to, in my youth, during my first trip to England...

. Shira on Mother's day	Marcia and Shira playing "Twins"	With Karen on Shira's 80's birthday	With Etel

    Al's cousin Marcia, was a year younger then me... We always felt more like Sisters, then "Cousins          in Law"...The two of us had a lot in common: We were both teachers who loved to laugh ,were avid Readers', enjoyed Intellectual Discussions', Classical Music ,Theater, Movies and were sharing a similar playful (a 'bit childish') Sense of Humor...After settling in California, Al and I convinced Marcia, to move  from Florida to LA, where she became a 'Loving Aunt' to four years old Karen and was our closest Family Member! We celebrated together all the holidays and Birthday parties;. We were delighted to  have a family member living near us, beside the friends we made in Los Angeles. We were able to  "Import" Al's younger brother Steve (who just graduated from Law school) and several years later  Nephew Glen Deitsch, from new Jersey, who was happy to settle in Sunny California... We  finally had      a 'Small Family' to share with us Holidays, Anniversaries and other happy events...Years later Cousin Marcia's small family of three, left us to settle in Miami, to take care of her aging parents...We kept in touch by phone, emails and and visits back and fourth, but it was not the same as having them close by 

    Years later, I called Marcia, to ask if she could "Please come and help me, with the celebration of my  80's birthday"... Her answer was very short:"Love To!  Marcia was able to find in L.A, a restaurant which was serving (and delivering) Authentic English "High Tea"... Besides Tea, the menu offered small cakes named "Scones and Crumpets" which we jokingly named; "Stones and Trumpets"...There was a variety  of  'Open face sandwiches', as well as cookies and cakes... For this Special Occasion, I used the 'Fine China' Al and I received as our Wedding Gifts, which amazingly, survived our six moves: Puerto Rico Atlanta, Augusta, Miami and Los Angeles which would be our final destination...

   This party gave me the opportunity, to invite 'who ever was left' , from our old friends...As well as          a few previous clients, I befriended through out the years (in spite of the fact that "Psychologists are       not supposed to befriend their Clients"...)"Other guests were a few of Karen's friends, among them        her best friend Alison, from fourth grade; whom I nicknamed "My second daughter!" The "High Tea"   was delivered to our house, which was decorated with colorful flowers from our garden...

   I  also arranged for a Workshop about the "Power of Positive Thinking" which was given by Dr     Ethel.  Marcia ordered colorful hats, decorated with paper flowers,which the guests tried on and exchanged between them: "In order to match the colors of our outfits": The hats made the house look    like a lovely "Garden of Women"... It was the first party I hosted without Al (my husband and best friend  and couldn't help feeling sad; wishing he was there with us in spirit...My pain lifted, as I looked through the window at my granddaughter Eliyah and her best friend, shrieking with joy, as they were running in the garden, chasing butterflies with 'Moses' barking and running close behind.. For some reason, this memory is my Sweetest Memory from that day... I have to admit that after the guests left I began to feel lonely and  a bit sad... It was not easy admitting (even to myself) that I am getting old...X"I can't believe I am Eighty   I don't think I look a day older then sixty, right?" I asked my image in the mirror:X"Maybe even younger!x What do you think? But I recived no answetr... I wounder why?

 

 

                                                                           THE  END

 

As time goes by... V, X OO V

Hello everyone,

   My book was almost completed... It is was time to find a suitable publisher... I have been finding out     it  is not an easy task, especially during the Corona Pandemic, which seemed to be out of control... I    have been busy helping my clients to deal with their fears of this a new frightening disease, as well as taking care of my darling husband, whose health has been deteriorating fast. .Karen, with her baby girl  our beloved grand daughter Eliyah, were staying with us, since her Israeli father Ilan, got stuck in Israel because of the pandemic... Our sweet Grand child, became the main source of joy, while her bedridden grandfather; my dear husband Al ...  For quite some time, I have been hearing the Nagging voice, of my Inner Critic, saying :"Don't you think  it is about time, to turn this blog into a book?!" "Who has extra  time for it?" My 'Inner Complainer' was saying... But I could no longer ignore the needs of my Inner writer, storyteller and Poet, which was nagging me to:"Finally finish this book!"x One day I had a great idea; "Instead of starting to write a book, how about turning my Blog in to one! I could use what I have written so far, go ahead and do it!

  There was plenty to write about... I can clearly remember the day, when Al was watching the news   about the New Virus, which was spreading from China to the Far and Middle East, as well as to Europe moving on to Africa, South America, the U.S, Canada, New Zealand and Australia... We were watching on the T.V, the over-crowded hospitals, with the exhausted Doctors and Nurses, trying to take care of the sick and the dying, looking as if they were on the verge of collapsing themselves... The Schools, Malls and Stores, as well as Theaters and Restaurants were empty... Terrified people around the world, were learning a new word: "Lock down"!  Almost overnight, Life as we knew it began to change into Unfamiliar Reality of people with Masks, standing in long lines for the Supermarkets, only to find most of the shelves bare and drive back home, empty handed on the deserted freeways ...

Savta Shira 

Grand child Eliya   

  Terrified people were locked up in their homes; hiding from the 'Corona Virus', the Unknown Monster, which came to darken our previous clear blue sky... I began the job of turning my blog into a book... My inspiration was 'The  Dairy of was Ann Frank'... Just  like her, I was about twelve years old when I began to write a dairy and kept on writing, in a thick notebook, with golden letters on the cover  I would Finlay 'graduating' to an old type writer and few years later to an  Electronic One, until we came to the age of Computers; just in time to begin writing my Blog which was the foundation or my future book...

   Shortly after the Corona Virus arrived at the United States, I had a great idea! Since most people were staying home, afraid to get out of their houses, it may be a golden opportunity, to go over the posts in my blog and begin to make the necessary corrections, in order to turn it into a book... My young friend Sean (whom I nicknamed "Sean-Sean") has been helping me with the technical part' of decorating the pages with photographs, which would help to break, the monotony of the written words and add some color to the story of my life... In a way, this pandemic, especially the Lock down; arrived as a blessing which gave  me the time I need to turn my blog into a book... I have been sitting for hours (sometimes late into the night) going over the posts, changing sentences, correcting spelling, as well as grammar mistakes (After  all English is not my Mother's Tongue... ) At my Inner Child's request (rather Nagging)I began 'decorating'  the pages of this future book, with photographs and caricatures, in order to add some color and humor to  the more Serious Topics. After all, moving from one state of being into another (3rd to the 5th Dimension) is not such a simple or easy matter... 

   As I review my blog, I come to realize that (most of the time) I had a good and blissful life; where my  'dreams', wishes and expectations were (almost always ) Fulfilled X Above all, I am fortunate to have my grand daughter Eliyah, who has been filling my heart with love and joy, especially after her Grandfather (Papa) my husband Al past away... I am so happy that Al was fortunate enough, to enjoy our precious Eliyah, for the last three years of his life! I often think about the week before Al's passing, when we celebrated his 85th birthday at home. Al was sitting in his large armchair, supported by pillows with Karen, myself and a handful of family members sitting around him...When his favorite chocolate cake arrived, we started to sing: "♪ Happy birthday dear Papa happy birthday to you!.... Eliyah put a piece      of cake in Al's mouth, licking the chocolate from her small fingers... I was watching Al, looking at her with a smile, his eyes full of tenderness and love and I had to wipe my tears... Several days after Al's passing, we celebrated Eliyah's third birthday... After all "Life must go on!" Karen and I where telling   each other and wiping our tears...

   A few mouths after starting kindergarten, Ellie decided to wear "A different shoe on each foot!" When   I tried to convince her that people do not do that, she told me:" I Do Savta! It is My Style!" After several attempts of trying to talk my 'Stubborn Granddaughter' to"Please change your shoes!" and receiving the powerful and final answer: "No! I already told you Savta, this is My Style now!" I decided to give up:"If you can't win - join in!" I told myself and decided to "copy" Ellie's "style", by wearing shoes of different colors as well; to her great delight!  People have been saying that Eliyah looks very much like me (to my great delight!) But she insists she looks just like "Ima"; her mom and my daughter...

About a year after Al's passing, a welcomed addition joined our tiny family...His name is Gregory and he  is Karen's "New Man!  Greg is adored by Karen and Eliyah, as well as by me, who is delighted to look at  this Loving Triangle...Observing the three of them together and witnessing their playful interaction, is my Moment of Happiness!' X This "Threesome loving combination", is a wonderful answer for my "Grand Motherly" prayers... Seeing them together helps me deal with the emptiness, which was left in my heart after losing Al, my husband of fifty yeas...

Karen and Greg		Ellie's shoe style	'Savta' "Copying" Ellie's style	The Happy Family!

    I would now like to share with you, several amazing photographs, sent by an anonymous reader            of my blog...These photos took me back many years ago, to the time I was serving in the military and   was In charge of 'Reserved Solders', in case of an attack by one (or more) of our 'Next Door' Arab neighbors... I was sitting at my desk, in front of the only small window in the room, looking at the walls which were "decorated" from floor to ceiling, with files of Reserved Solders,who completed their two years of military service and were required to attended "Training" once a year, in order to be ready for 'Mobilization, in case of an attack by one of our three Arab Neighbors'; Egypt, Jordan and  Syria...       

  These Arab countries, never liked our Jewish Israel, tried to destroy it three times and Failed!...The whole world (except the Arabs) celebrated with us our Victory! I was often going to the one window, in my small office and looked through the one window, at the and peaceful blue Mediterranean Sea; wishing I could escape my dreary office and go for a refreshing swim, in the inviting blue Mediterranean water of  below and get away for a while, from the grey and choking room, I was 'locked up in'...X"It feels as if I am a Prisoner here!" I complain to my superior officer, who smiled his fatherly smile before saying to me "Don't  ever forget that Israel is our only country! We were born here and should gladly protect it, even if it means that we have to fight against all our Hateful Neighbors!"

   After my commanding officer left the room, I walked to the window and took in a deep breath of salty air, then walked back to my desk, to look at the paper work in front of me...I then too a blank  piece of paper and began to write a poem, as I often did when I felt 'down and alone'... The only thing I remember from this poem, is one line:"Butterflies are flowers yearning to be free!" X The photos below may be such flowers, which amazingly resemble people, babies, birds, monkeys and hearts. Most probably such flowers always existed, but were not noticed until this one incredible unknown photographer, brought them to our attention... Unfortunately I was unable to find out the source of these amazing photos, so I would be able  to acknowledge, congratulate and give thanks to the gifted artist who took them...

White egret	Hawks	Parrots	Swooping eagle	Monkey	Babies in baskets

Ballerina	Lady taking a bow	Dancing friends	Naked men	Beggar	Hearts

With Love and Light,
Shira