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

Life during 'Lock down' and Al's Departure. .( Add musical notes) X

      No one was ready for the Corona Virus! At the beginning there were speculations, fears and  Confusion:"Would this virus stay in China, or spread to other countries? But when this "Uninvited    Gust" began to cover more and more territories; a wave of panic began to spread: Toilet Paper was          the first item to disappear from the shelves, as well as Anti Depressant and sleeping pills...Long lines  lines appeared in front of the Supermarkets and Gas Stations... Schools and Colleges were empty and people were staying behind the closed doors of their homes; There were two new wards, added to our  Vocabulary:"Lock Down!" The old 'Hand Shaking', seemed as if it belonged to a Previous Era...             

                                                                                                                                                                               There  were no more long liens for the of Movie Theaters, Concerts Halls, Comedy Clubs or for        Car Wash service, People were no longer waiting in lines for a visit to Disney Land, Hollywood Bowl     or the movie Theater; they were staying behind closed doors, watching on television how wild Fires raging of control were consuming forests and buildings...I was trying my best to cope with all of this Madness;  while taking care of my sick husband as well as helping our daughter Karen, raise our Grand Daughter Eliya, who said to me one day: "Savta! (Grandma in Hebrew) I want a kid to play with!" Her loneliness broke my heart... "Let's make believe that 'I Am a kid" XI answered.X"O.K Savta!" x she said      let's play Hide and Go Seek! I will hide behind the Curtains, next to the piano and you will Look for me!" 

   Two and a half years before the "Corona virus" arrived, we celebrated Al's 80's Birthday at the 'Bistro  Garden' in Sherman Oaks; where we have been celebrating all our birthdays for many years... There were twenty two of our family members and friends, including our 'Very Pregnant' daughter Karen, without the Israeli father, who was not an American citizen and was stuck in Israel because of the Virus.. We all knew that this is going to be our last celebration in this Landmark Restaurant, after reading the short note on the door:" Due to the on going COVID-19 Pandemic, it is with great sorrow and emotional upheaval, that after thirty years, The Bistro Garden in Studio City will closed down." XI had a feeling that it was knew  the last time we would celebrate in this  lovely, and so it was, it never opened again...   

Bistro Garden - West wing	Our family plus one on the way	Bistro Garden - North wing

   On July 23rd, shortly after the Corona virus arrived to the U.S, we celebrated Al's 83rd birthday          M.N "Happy Birthday dear Albie! Happy birthday to you!" and watched little Ellie feeding her 'Papa'        a spoonful of Chocolate Muffin (his favorite!) carefully raising the spoon to his mouth, with her tiny fingers before licking them... A week later Al became very ill and was rushed to Seder Sinai Hospital where he stayed for five days. The doctors said, he would be better off in a Hospice', but Karen and           I refused to hear about it... We felt it would be better for him, to stay in his familiar home, next to the  people who love him and his beloved dog Moses, who was always on the floor next to his bed... From    the second floor, Al had a full view of the mountains and was able to look at the the garden and the trees he chose to plant... A 'Mail Nurse', loyal Essie, was with him day and night! My niece Gali, came often  with her two daughters, to keep company to Eliyah; making sure she will not know about the 'Life and Death Drama', which was taking place in the second floor of our house...

   On July 29th, Karen, Gali and I were sitting next to Al's bed, talking to him softly, holding his hand      and stroking his hair... The health of my proud husband was deteriorating... At one point, shortly after I went to check on the kids downstairs, the Nurse came running, telling me to come up immediately:X" It  is starting Now!" She said. We made sure the kids stayed in the garden with an adult, rushing to Al's bed  on the second floor and were standing by his bed, listening to his Labored Breathing. His eyes were closed and he had a peaceful expression on his face... I held his hand, I was holding hist hand and was telling him how much we love him and that he is about to go on a beautiful Journey! I kept on holding his hand until he took his final breath... For the first time since his long illness, Al's face was relaxed and very peaceful reminding me, of a photo I once took of him in Puerto Rico, many years before...Karen and I, as well as Gali and Essie, were hugging each other and crying...The tears were not only for the loss we have just experienced, but tears of Relief  that Al's suffering is finally over...   

Al's final home

Al in P.R

  My darling Al always hated the snow and cold weather, which reminded him of the the 'Freezing Winters in New Jersey' This was    one of the reasons he left home and moved to St.Thomas, in the Virgin Islands, where he worked as the 'Food and Beverage Manger',  in the Hilton and later the Sheraton hotel. Al's greatest pleasure was to sit by the water and enjoy the sun...  I was looking at the peaceful expression on his face, which reminding me of a photo I took many years before; when we lived in Puerto Rico and he was relaxing by the sea, which he loved so much; enjoying the sun...    

   Because of the Corona Virus ,we had a very small funeral... It included some family members, our   closest friends and a few of Karen's long time girl friends. We gathered at Mount Sinai Cemetery in the     the Simi Valley, which is surrounded by rolling hills and at one point, I was surprised to realize, it was   the first time I have seen a cemetery, where the 'Tombstones' do not stand erect", as it was in Israel, but  were arranged flat; on top of the grave...The Jewish tradition calls for Seven Days of Mourning, at the home of the diseased; where the family members, as well as relatives and friends, came to say 'Kaddish' the prayer which is meant to help the Soul have a 'Smooth Journey to heaven'...Then comes the Evening Meal, which is supposed to remind the mourners, that no matter what; 'Life Must Go On'!  Eliya's third Birthday, came four days after Al's departure... I made a decision to celebrate it, even though our seven days of morning, were not over yet and was certain, that God would forgive me, for 'Celebrating' during the 'Morning Period', rather then wait for the 'Proper Time'.  Two days later, I invited the mothers of my "Adopted Grand children", to come with their kids, in order to celebrate Eliya's Birthday party and was happy to receive a positive answer...

  It gave me a great joy to see how the"Babies" grew up, during the few mounts I haven't seen them...    The youngest boy started to take his first steps and some of the others, were saying full sentences! The kids were a lovely 'Ray of of Joy', in the midst of my dark sorrow... Eliyah, the "Birthday Girl", was very happy to share with the kids her new Toys... There were cries of joy, when I brought in the Birthday Cake and everyone began to sing X"Happy Birthday dear Eliyah, happy birthday to you! The kids stood around the cake, blowing out the three candles and were enjoying eating the cake and licking their small fingers.                                                                                                          

	X
Mothers and babies	♫ "Happy Birthday Dear Ellie... ♫	Savta Shira   brings the cake	Happy Birthday	Other gusts

Eliyah		Ella		Mayan
	Maya		Levi

   Acording to the Jewish tradition, after the funeral people come over for the next seven day, in order       to comfort the 'Morning Family'... This visit, which is called "Bikur Tanchumim"(Condolence call' in Hebrew) is considered to be a very important "Mitzvah" (Good Deed)...Since the the Corona Pandemic  was raging, I did not expect many visitors and was surprised and grateful for those who came.We were staying out doors, where people were making sure to keep a safe distance from one another. The gusts were admiring the view from our house and I ralize that Aliyah's Grandpa, my darling Al, was no longer  there, to celebrate with us such an importenyt ocation..... 

   As a psychologist, I realize that people may react to Death in different ways... I am familiar with           the work of the well known Swiss-born Psychiatrist; Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, who wrote extensively    about 'Death and Dying' and is known for her book:"The Five Stages of Grief". I have written before  about the lectures I gave, regarding "Life After Death", to people who lost their 'Loved ones' and how   this knowledge, made it 'Somewhat Easier' to deal with the pain of loosing Al...  These days trained women named "Death Dulas", have been helping to turn the 'Death Process', in to a more 'Dignified experience', by enabling people to die at home, or any other peaceful and calm environment, making    sure the lights are kept dim and soft music is playing...  During Al's final days I asked him if he would  like to listen to Frank Sinatra, or Ella Fitzgerald (who were among his favorite singers) When he didn't answer, I jokingly asked him weather he prefers Elvis Presley's "Rock around the clock"... My darling husband looked into my eyes, smiled and whispered: "Maybe next time, Shira"..." 

   After Al was no longer able to come down the stairs (not even in our small indoor elevator) I took        in  to his bedroom the tiny"Supermarket Cart" which Eliyah liked to play with, as well as her Toy Stove  placing it near the wall across from his bed, so he could see her playing... She was delighted to cook for her 'Papa' :"Pancakes with lots of Maple syrup!"... When the Hospice nursed, was checking Al with her Stethoscope; Ellie would bring her 'Doctor's Kit', in order to check "Grandpa Toes", declaring that "Papa was not sick any more!" Al was watching her smiling and the 'Tenderness in his eyes', made me leave the room to wipe my tears, so the two of them wouldn't see me cry...  

   The day after Al's passing, Ellie saw his empty bed and wanted to know "Where is Papa?" I told her      that Papa went to live with God. When she wanted to know why, I reminded her that he was old and sick and couldn't even walk anymore..."Now, that Papa is with God, he is very happy; because he can do what ever he wants, like walking in the garden and give water to the flowers and the trees"... She asked me if Papa was using now the swing in his new yard and I answered that I am sure that Papa is happy where he was... Ellie seemed to be pleased and turned away to check up a long line of Aunts, which were passing by. On the following day she told me with excitement, that the night before she saw Papa!"You must have seen him in your dream!" I said. "No!" she answered, stamping her little foot on the floor: "It was not a dream! I saw him for Real and he even gave me a hug and a kiss!" (Who am I to doubt it? )... "Savta, How did papa go up to God?" XShe asked. "Well, these kind of questions are for a Rabbi to answer and since Mommy is a Rabbi; let's go and ask her!" I said and so we did...

With Love and Light,
Shira