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'...
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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...
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| . 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...
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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...
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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
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