Almost The End XXX X V

Hello everyone,  

   For a while, I was encouraged by some of my Blog Readers, to turn my Blog in to A Book!                    "It  seems  that you had very Interesting Life Shira! You should write a book about it! X I was often        told X  "What do you mean by 'Had'? I still Do!" I answered... Unlike most people my Age group (82)       I am very lucky to be in Good Health! Recently, I noticed that my 'Sense of Humor' was not as it used        to be...  lately finding myself going through several 'Unpleasant Moments of Memory Loss'. My doctor family members and close friends, were encouraging me to be tested, for the possibility of Dementia or  Alzheimer (God forbid) and I told them I go first... Unlike most people my age group, my memory has always been very strong! After my doctor advised me to make an appointment, in order to check my memory I said to him:"Do you know what is the best thing about Memory Loss?We forget that we          are losing it!"

  I was a bit surprised when my doctor left a message on the phone, asking for 'Rabbi Karen Deitsch'    (my daughter) to call him, in order to discuss my Test Results..."Why would he want to talk to her and    not to me?" I wondered... Karen, who called me after their conversation, sounded very calm (A bite to calm)."A month later I took another test, which lasted one hour only (Thank God!) Al's cousin Marcia who has always been "My Best Friend", came from Florida in order to be by my side, before I get the results of the Medical Tests: 'You sound more Nervous then I am, Marcia!" I was laughing. It seems      that "Fearless Shira", was about to face one of the biggest Health Challenge in her life; but I wasn't        afraid, since my 'Inner Optimist' was telling me not to worry, since I would be coming through this    ordeal with '"Flying  XColors!"  

   I have written before about my parents, who were among the 'Early Poisoners', who established          the  first 'Vegetarian Village' in Israel, refusing to use Fertilizers; "Which poisons the vegetables and      the fruit..."People should Never Eat Meat!"X My brother and I were told, by our parents. again and  again:"Just think X of the Terrible Pain which these poor animals experience, when they ar x  sloterd!    xWe may be able to understand, why people kill Snakes and other dangerous animals, but what did the innocent lambs, cows, chickens, turkeys and cute rabbits do, to deserve such an ending"?...  Several of   my school friends, parents began to come to our house, complaining thatx"Because of your daughter Shira, our kids r to eat meat!" These visits gave my parents a golden opportunity, to try convert them       to Vegetarianism! My parents also practiced Yoga and several Meditations, which they learned from books, way before Yoga became popular in the Western World... In our small house, was a very big library... Most of the books, were about Health and Proper Eating:X"How to avoid toxic food,  You are what you eat, say No, to the Western Medicine, You are what you eat!" As well as several others... well as books for my brother Romy and me. My brother Romi, who was five years older then me, rebelled against our parents "Stupid Vegetarianism!"    declaring he had no interest in any of these 'Stupid Books! "Take them all!" Which I gladly did since   after all, reading was one of my Greatest Passions...                                                                                                                          

  Al  and I, created several groups of new friends, we made in Los Angeles', whom we invited to our home, to celebrate Holidays, Birthdays and other events... Other gusts and family members, arrived from New Jersey, where Al grew up, as well as from Washington D.C, Israel, Italy and France... It all came to an end when the Corona Virus arrived... The death toll was rising and people stayed at   home, afraid to go out...We were all 'Glued' to the T.V screen; watching with horror the unaccepted Pandemic, sending thousands of people to over crowded hospitals and morgues... As the Death Toll     from the Corona Virus was rising, socializing came to a complete stop! People stopped inviting family members and friends      their home, family members and friends for dinners parties or barbecues. They stopped going to the theater, concerts or any kind of gathering... Everyone was horrified by this new disease, which was spreading like wild fire around the world!    

  Besides the Pandemic, other disasters were taking place around the Globe...On the T.V screen we      were able to see "Civil Unrest, Political Corruption, Elections Fraud and a Ban on legal abortions", as    well as the bitter long war between Russia and the Ukraine, which was 'Giving birth' to fear and rumors about an up coming Third World War... On the Television sets, we could see Wild fires consuming forests torrential rains, floods and starving refuges with their sick children,who were able to escaped the wars in their countries.  and come to the United States.....  Many of these people, who were hoping for better life could see their dreams crush, as they were sent back to the country from which they fled...     

  Several years after the Corona Pandemic came under control, I was finally able to deal with my deep  pain over the devastating loss of Al, my beloved husband and best friend overXXXX fifty years... I was working   as a psychologist, specializing in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Voice Dialog. At one point my clients said  to me: x"Why don't You Meditate Shira, as you always tell us to do? It really helps you know!" It was not easy, but I took their advice... XXX  the latest diagnosis of my Dementia... x"Did you forget that I am 'Free of Fear'?" I reminded them. I have to admit that in spite of my bravery and optimism, I was finding myself going through 'Dark moments of my own... It old myself that I could not endolge  in my own pain, since I had an obligation to my clients I and there unable to pay to much attention to my own pain  and worries...   

   I can't remember the time I first noticed, that "My Amazing Memory", which I was always proud of  was beginning to fade... I was looking for alternative new healing methods besid Traditional Psychology and Hypnotherapy, which I have been using in my work so far. I began to recommend Proper Nutrition Meditation, Acupuncture and other 'Natural Tools', besides the conventional medicine and was always looking for the 'Latest Information about"Dementia". I never stopped looking, for new ways of healing  for my clients, friends, family members and now; for myself ...

  I would like to invite you dear readers, to visualize yourselves lifting up your wine glass and sing with me the familiar song from the Musical: "Fiddler On The Roof": "Let's drink to Life Lechaim; Lechaim, Lechaim to Life!". I would hold up my wine glass and add: "To Life in the Fifth Dimension!"X Below are several photos, of my "Dog lover Grand daughter, Eliya" who is holding, hugging and kissing; the few dogs which belong to our small family, in L.A  and declaring, she is going to become a Veterinarian, when she grows up!

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

With Love and Light,
Shira

S

  Name

Essie (Ace)

    Several weeks after my birthday celebration, my granddaughter  XEliya, 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: "So my Mother wouldn't be all by herself in such a big house!" Essie happily agreed and was embraced by all our family members, as if he was always a part it. This time however, Essie was not at home and in spit of  my Ellie's protest, I insisted that we wait to go swimming until he comes back, since we should have always someone near by, when we go swimming...At one point after Al's return, Karen and  our wet 'bathing suits When I slipped... 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 as well as calling for an Ambulance! My pain told me, it was not just a 'Simple Fall...After my arrival to the hospital, I was told that my Left leg was broken in Two Places! It took place on the December Seventh, the day Avwnth the day when the horrifying Murders (Rather 'Slaughter') of a group of sleeping young Israelis, who were celebrating an evening of singing and dancing, during their summer vacation....

   When I came back home with my cast, my young Granddaughter Eliyah, who was sitting on the sofa began to cry when she saw my cast... In spite of the terrible pain, I was doing my best to comfort her: "It will be all right Sweetheart, don't be so scared; I slipped and hurt my leg, not such a big deal! Didn't you ever fall and hurt yourself?" I told her as calmly as I could while cringing with pain... "But you said that  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 the 'Argent Care Clinic' and after a long and painful waiting, the 'Ex Rays' showed that my ankle was broken in two places... I was then fitted with a 'Temporary Cast' and was allowed to go home and make sure to stay in bed, for the following two weeks before going back to the hospital, in order to find out, if the 'Broken Bone' was mending. "In  the case it   is not mending properly, you will have to go back to the hospital for surgery!" I was told...

   After returning home, I was sleeping most of the time, thanks to the powerful 'Pain Killer Medicine'    which the doctors prescribed... Being an active person, made it challenging, as well ad frustrating, to be restricted to Bed! Helen, my friend and 'Spiritual Advisor', said that Humanity is about to move from the 'Third Dimension', which is our present home, to the '5th Dimension', our Spiritual one..."Your job Shira  is to write a book, in order to prepare people for this Highly Important, up coming event!" Ellen told me  Until the accident, I did not find the time to write, since I was always busy; teaching and seeing my clients and friends, as well as working on my P.H.D... It seemed as if the only way to make me sit and write my book, was to"Break a leg", in order to 'Put me down' and load me with the information', regarding all 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 'New Job' of preparing people, for the Up Coming Journey to the 5th Dimension"...In the meantime, I was 'Restricted   to Bed' and was experiencing a new and unfamiliar emotion, of feeling sorry for my self...I  read a lot wrote in my blog, watched Television and was glad to see my friends and the few family members, who came for a visit... My Playful Inner Child, was handing my visitors Crayons and Markers, to decorate my cast; a request which all agreed enthusiastically to fulfill... 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 our Childhood   the time when there was nothing more exciting, then drawing on the Cast of a 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 will have to go back to Cedars Sinai Hospital While in the hospital, I befriended a few of the medical staff members 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, after I leave the hospital...Back home, I was lying in bed and was using Al's old Wheel Chair to move around, 'Feeling sorry for myself ' It was an emotion which was foreign to me... Even though I was always an avid reader, this time I found myself unable to concentrate on a book and was trying to find the right position for my Broken Leg, in   the 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 other programs, which I usually was not looking at...

   On the morning of October 8th, I woke up early feeling sorry for myself 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 only 'Life Line'  to the outside world and was alarmed and shocked, to learn about the Massacre which took place at the 'Nova Festival' in Israel, where men, women and children were brutally attacked, raped and taken hostage to the Tunnels in Gaza

    I was calling my family members and friends in Israel, in order to find out how they were doing          and found out that people seemed to be in a state of shock! As the days passed on, more terrifying news 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, I was in bed, with the my phone next to me and was watching with concern, the American and Israeli News on   the T.V... In spite  of my usual Optimism, I was experiencing moments of deep Sadness, unfamiliar Loneliness and and Depression; trying my best, not to sink into Mancholy and Self Pity, which I saw   some of my clients, friends and family members go through from time to time.

   Many years ago, my mother told me that "Turning Old is not a Picnic!"When Karen was three years        old , Al and I used to visit his relatives who moved to Miami after retirement, in order to  escape the cold and freezing winters of new Jersy... I was deeply touched, by the joy and excitement these old relatives welcomed us and the Love they showered on our baby Karen... Their loneliness and longing for their owen grandchildren broke my heart... I was woundering if Al and I would also be going through the   same feelings of lonliness, when we become their age... 

   In order to shake away these gloomy thoughts, I was telling myself:"Delete Delete" and was using      the power of Positive Thinking and my Creative Imagination and Visualization, to chase away these kind of thoughts... However, lying alone in bed and looking at the cast on my broken leg, did not encourage my 'Positive Thinker' to show up... What did help, was spending time with my tiny family; Al, Karen, Greg and my sweet Granddaughter Eliyah... I was talking to some of my 'New friends', who were having some problems with 'Hearing and Seeing', as well as begining to suffer from Dementia and decided to go back to the Meditation, which I learned years before at the 'Center of Actualization I also lowed  myself to shed a few tears during the times when I was feeling sorry for myself...   

   Several mouths would pass before the war in Israel, which was raging for months, will come to an end The Hostages were held in the underground tuneless of Gaza and Israel seemed to be torn apart politically Many in the south of the country, were killed or wounded, before being evacuated to the center of Israel.    It was as if the whole world has been going Mad and the peaceful old way of life, which we experienced until now, will never come back...The few friends in my age group of eighty, were having all kinds of Health Issues like Memory Los and were 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  were taking place, almost on a daily basis...On the T.V screen, we could see the violence and chaos in High schools and Universities. Dark rumors about an up coming Third World War, were spreading like black clouds, pushed forward by winds of Hatred... I kept on reminding myself that things are not always bad and life seems to go on after all: Kids are busy with their games and the Spring is on it's way, ready    to paint over the 'Grayness of winter' the beautiful colors of spring... As hard as I tried I was unable to  stop watching the news, about the fate of the captured Israeli soldiers and was concerned for those who were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, trying to keep in touch with 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 always overcomes Hatered...The recovery of my broken leg was taking a long time...When we celebrated her seventh birthday granddaughter's  seventh birthday, she said to me: "You know Savta, sixth years old is still young, but Seven"..."Wait until you turn Eighty One, like me" I pointed at myself and she burst in to a loud laughter... 

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

   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 years        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 enjoined having guests and entertaining the new friends we made in L.A; as well as the visitors, who flew in from N.Y  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 Sunny California! Al's younger brother Steve, who just graduated from Law school and cousin Marcia, who was two years younger then me and became my beloved 'Cousin in Law'; as well as a 'Soul sister and my Best Friend'!    I was delighted to be a part of this Warm and Loving family, with whom we would celebrate our Holidays Birthdays and weddings; as well as Anniversary and 'Be there for one another', in difficult and painful times;  '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 in Israel; moved back to the U.S. to begin her studies at' Hebrew Union Collage'  Al and I never imagined, that Karen, our 'One and only child'; would become an Ordained Rabbi... We found ourselves going through the "Empty Nest Syndrome" and decided, it may be time for us to make     a change as well and begin to look for the right house and eventually found one... It was partially built which would enable 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, by ourselves and later 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 'a 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...  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'! (Well maybe  some of it... Years later after Al's passing at the age of Eighty three, it was good to have Karen and her  tiny family of three, live near by... It would help me to deal better, with the loneliness I was dealing    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 should celebrate at our Sherman Oaks home; the place we 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 also a  'Clinical Hypnotherapist'; a fact which fascinated them...They often shared their problems with me and I loved      to work with them (Free of charge!) which I did, 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 Xwould invite these friends, to celebrate my birthday at our home together with a few of 'Albie' and a few of our friends:X"XThose who are still Ticking!" As Al used to    say... After considering several options for the party, we decided 'To Host' 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 , Museums,Theater, Movies and shared          a similar playful ('A bit childish') Sense of Humor... After settling in California, Al and I convinced his Cousin Marcia, to move from Florida to LA, where she became a 'Loving Aunt', to our 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 members 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. so she could take care of her    aging parents...We kept in touch by phone, emails and visits back and fourth, but sadly, 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 yeas, 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 the Third 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 my          friend 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  beloved husband and best friend... I couldn't help feeling sad and was wishing he was there with us, in Spirit... My pain lifted as I looked through the window at my granddaughter Eliyah and Lisa, her best friend; shrieking  with Joy as they were running in the garden, chasing butterflies; with 'Moses' barking 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'... "I can not believe I am Eighty! When I look at the mirror I don't look a day older then sixty!' (I was telling my image in the Mirror) "Maybe even younger! What do you think?  But I receive   no answer; 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