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 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 only 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 frute and the vegetable... "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 ever 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 friends home for Dinner Parties, Barbecues or other occasions; they stopped going to the theater, concerts and many other kinds of gatherings... Every one was horrified by this new disease, which was spreading like Wild Fire    all around the world!  Besides the Pandemic, other disasters were taking place around the Globe: We the  were able to see on the television screen Civil Unrest, Political Corruption, Elections Fraud as well as the 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 Wild Fires consuming forests, followed by Torrential Rains, Floods and starving, sick refuges with their children, who escaped to the United States from the wars and poverty, in their country of birth  People who hoped for a better life and future, could see these dreams crush 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 Al, my beloved husband and best friend of fifty years... I went back to my Therapy 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 m, after I shared with them the latest diagnosis of my Dementia...x"Did you forget that I am 'Free of Fear'?", came my answer... I have to admit that in spite of my Bravery, I was finding myself going through several 'Dark Moments' of my own, but I needed to help my clients and couldn't afford to indulge in worries or fears    so was pushing myself to get over it fast!   

   I can't remember when I first noticed that "My Memory", which 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 an Hypnotherapist I was also recommending Proper Nutrition, Meditation, Acupuncture and other 'Natural Help', besides Conventional Medicine and was always looking for the 'Latest information about "Dementia", trying  to help my poor father, who suffered  from Memory Loss. 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 my dear readers, to visualize yourselves lifting up your glass  of wine and sing together  with me, the familiar song from the Musical" Fiddler on the Roof: "Let'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 '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

xXX

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: "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 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... 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 Seven   of December; 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