Getting engaged. V, XXX O.K V

Hello everyone,

    A few days after Al came back from New Jersey, he asked me to move in with him, but I refused...  Most of the time I ended up staying over his place, which was much larger then mine and had lovely   view of the water... I told him I was not moving with anyone, unless I was a hundred percent sure he    was the One for me...  To my great surprise Al took offense and for the first time, I was able to see a     part of him, I did not noticed before... At times, he would sink into a 'Dark Mood'  where he would be becoming silent and disconnected... At one point, when he seemed very withdrawn, I told him:"What's going on Al? What's wrong with you?" His anger erupted like a volcano:What's wrong with Me? What's wrong with You?!X" He said it with such a look of rage, it made me take a few steps backwards... when Al saw my shocked expression he apologized immediately and I made light of his outburst, saying it reminds me of the way, my brother and I used to 'communicate', when we were kids..."Yes" Al said: "It makes me think of the fights I used to have with my older brother Lewis"...

   Later, when I reflected on this exchange,wondering about Al's sharp reaction, I criticize and blame myself for judging him..."After all his mother is very ill and he must feel guilty and frustrated, to be so   far away from her! It is only natural to have an 'Emotional Outburst' from time to time; especially now when his mother is so sick!... I made up my mind not to take his anger personally and treated him with tenderness... Al grew up in Paterson N.J, in a small Jewish Community,where the young Teenagers socialized and celebrated their "Bar Mitzva" (Becoming Thirteen years old) at the local Jewish temple Besides studding Bible and Jewish studies, the kids in the local Temple, socialize and celebrate their    "Bar and Bat Mitzva", when they turned thirteen years old.

Hilton  Hotel 

one of the beaches
in Puerto Rico

  At thirty three, Al was the only one in his group of friend, who  was still single and was often teased about it... Six months after    we met, four couples of his closest friends came to  Puerto Rico       for a visit... I liked them right away! We had a wonderful time together; lounging on the beach chairs next to the hotel, talking  joking and laughing... Al and I took his friends to few Casinos    and introduced them to our new Israeli friends, Ellie and Yedida, who invited all of us for an Israeli dinner at their home... We went to Night Clubs, Shows and  gambled in the casinos, as well as several other Tourist Attractions', spending most of our time, by the beach or the pool and were arguing and laughing non stop... At one point Alvin said:"Shira, I would like you to know, that the reason we all came here on this Vacation, is to 'Check you out' and make sure, you are suited for Al, our last Single Friend! I am glad to tell you Shira, that you 'Passed the Test' and all of us approve of you!  So please tell us when is the Wedding?!" I looked at Alvin, smiled sweetly and said: "I am very faltered that I past the test, as far your question, why don't you ask your 'Last single friend Al', when is he going to propose to me and let me know! "         

      

 

Emil Deitsch

Clara Deitsch

  Al was flying to N.J every other month... His mother's prognosis was not good...The doctors predicted that with Chemotherapy treatments, she may be able to live for another year...  At one point, after Al came back,he told  me, that his parents decided to come for a visit to Puerto Rico (in spite of his mom's serious illness) in order to meet me... Emil, Al's dad, adored his wife and was devastated by her illness! He was a hard working man and his life revolved around a the family Dairy Business, which would grow beyond any of their expectations!  "Only in America!" Al's Dad would often say: "Only in this amazing country, people could  have so many opportunities for successes! Only in this country of the United Stats of America!

 

   At one point Al's  parents came to Puerto Rico in order to to meet me... The four of us spent pleasant days together, driving around the city, looking at Tourists Attractions or just 'Hanging Out' in Al's  large Condominium Apartment... During some of our trips, Al's mother excused herself, asking us to take her back to Al's Condo; where she could lie down and rest for a while... At one point, the four of us, spent the evening at Al's place, when I noticed it was rather late and I should be going to my apartment... As I was saying my goodbye, Clara gave me a hug: "Please come to visit us in New Jersey, Shira!",x  she whispered in my ear :"I Know that everything between  the two of you will work out!" She said. Al, who was standing on the other side of the room, came over, X and was  looking at us with suspicion..."What are  the two of you talking about?!" He asked. "We are talking about You Darling!" I said with a smile,"What else your parents and I, have may in common?!" His parents began to laugh and the two us joined in...

 

  After driving his parents to their hotel, we entered my small apartment and set down, facing one another Al was sitting at the edge of the chair and seemed to be to be Nervous... We talked about the evening and  I asked him if his parents had a good time in Puerto Rico...X"Yes they did, but my mom is annoyed and wouldn't talk to me!" AL answered with a strange expression, almost as if he was a frightened child." Why not? X didn't she like Puerto Rico?" I asked surprised... X"Yes, they bouth did, but my mom wouldn't talk to me X because she wants me to ask you to marry me".X He answer..."So why don't you?"I  asked, trying hard not to laugh... Al  was looking at me, as if he was a frightened little boy: "You mean you will agree?" He finally said..."Of course I will, Dummy!" I answered...  I was surprised to realize, he was afraid I would say 'No'..."X Don't you know by now how much I love you?!"x We drove back to Al's place and shared the news with his delighted parents... After the shrieks of joy, excitement, tears, laughter, hugs  and kisses Al's mother took off her diamond ring, saying it belonged to her 'Mother in law' (Al's Grand Mother) who gifted it to her for their engagement...."Now I am passing it on to you, Shira !" Clara said, wiping off her tears..."How can I take your engagement ring?!" I protested! "Don't worry!" Al's father said,  "Years ago  I bought Clara another ring, with a much larger stone!" Without saying a ward Al took the ring and put it on my finger...We looked at each other and began to laugh: We were engaged!

   Three weeks later, we flew to Al's home in Paterson N.J... Aunt Nettie and uncle Irwin, Clara's brother and his wife, hosted our engagement party in their home; where I met Steve, Al's younger brother and his older brother Lewis, his wife Nancy and their two sons Glen and  Darryl. I was introduced to uncle Sam Clara's brother, his wife, aunt Rhoda and their son and daughter; Vicky and Larry... It would take a while before I was able to memorize all the names of my new family members.After Al and I flew back to Porto  Rico and developed the photographs, he wrote the names on the bac of the photos, so I would be able to memorize them in time for our wedding...

Engagement Party with some of Al's Family

 

	Mom & Dad					Irwin & Netty
	Louis & Nancy					Murray & Roselyn
	Glenn & Darrel					Sam & Rhoda
	Marcia & Steve					Larry & Vicky

 

   Several days after the engagement party, Al's close friends Alvin and Mala, invited us to their home,with the rest of Al's friends, in order to celebrate our engagement...The men were teasing Al, for "finally being  caught in the 'Marriage Trap', just like they were, ten years earlier..."Wait until the babies arrive and you wouldn't sleep at night!" They teased us... It was a lovely party, full of laughter, joy and love

 

Engagement Party with Al's closest Friends

 

		Alvin and Mala				Ray and Harriet
		Jack and Louise				Herbie and Myra
		Joel and Marylin				Jay and Elaine

 

   All week long we were taken out to fancy restaurants, by Al's older cousins and close friends, to celebrate our engagement... It felt as if we were floating on a cloud of happiness and were sweeping  everyone else with us! Gifts were arriving daily at Al's parents home...When I expressed my surprise        that in America, gifts are being sent 'Before the wedding', I was told that these were just the engagement gifts; the wedding gifts would come later...

    Clara and I would sit and talk for hours... She told me about her childhood in the lower 'East Side'         of Manhattan, which her father, who immigrated by himself from Russia to the U.S, shortly after she    was born, leaving his wife and the baby with her parents... Her father worked as a Carpenter for a year  saving enough money, to buy the "Boat Tickets" for his wife and the small child, who came from Russia  to the U.S.... Clara told me about the two small bedrooms apartment, she shared with her three sister, three brothers and their Hard Working parents; who"Saved every penny", so she could take Piano lessons... A years later, they would bring their entire family, from the Lower East Side, to live next to them, in New Jersey: "During that time, Jewish families used to help one another!" Her 'In-Law'  helped her father and brothers to open a Carpentry Shop, which would eventually become a large and  very successful Furniture Company...

 

Al and Lewis

Baby Stephen

   Clara enjoyed talking about the years when the "Boys were small" She shared with me funny stories about Al; like the time she and her husband were out with friends and Al, who was six years old, called  the police, to report that his older brother Lewis:"Stole his bikes!" And demanded they come and put him in Jail... She also told me about the day she announced to her two boys, that another baby is going to join the family; asking them not to tell it to anyone yet... To which Al, who was five years old responded: "Is it O.K if I tell Daddy?" 

   At her request I shared with Clara my family's history: How my   Grand Parents came from Russia to Israel, the difficulties they were facing, the constant wars with the Arab neighbors, the two years of my service in the army, my arrival to the University of Huston in Texas and later, my move to N.Y.C... Clara and I were getting to know each other intimately. At one point Clara asked with a shy smile, if I would call her 'Mom':"Unless you feel it may offend your mother!" She sad.X"There is no reason to worry," I told her "since in Hebrew,  the ward Mom is 'Ima'!" From that moment on, I called Al's parents Mom and Dad... Three days before returning to Puerto Rico, Clara's best friend, took me aside and reviled what Clara said to her, a few days before:X"Shira is my Moment of Happiness!" We were asked  by her to choose the wedding date: "As Soon as Possible!"... We didn't have to ask 'why', since we knew how ill she was...It was decided that Aunt Roslyn, Clara's sister, would  help me prepare for the 'Big Day'!  She took me to some of the finest stores in Manhattan, in order to select our 'China, Silverware and other 'Glassware'      so our gusts, would be able to choose their gifts for the wedding... It was all new to me and I felt a kind   of "Culture Shock", as I was looking at the prices of 'Brand names', which  I have never seen before. I was told that our gusts, would be choosing their gifts from the list, which Al and I would prepare.X When    I expressed my concern that some of the the"Fragile gifts', may break on the way to Puerto Rico (like the expensive cups and plates) Al began to laugh;" We may have to take a 'Special Insurance for such a case!" X He said in a ton x  which made me feel 'a bit unsophisticated'...

 

   I knew that Al's family owned a Dairy Business, but only after talking to his cousin Marcia, I found      how large it really was... She told me, that what I thought was Al's father's 'Small Family Business', was not as small as I believed it was, but rather a very Large Company, created by Al's uncle Jack and his two brothers...The New Company which was distributing milk and milk products, to Markets all over N.J and was planning to spread to Manhatten, across the bridge! Instead of being impressed, I began to feel a bit concerned: Materialism, was not quiet the way I was brought up! On the contrary: My Vegetarian parents were always stressing the importance of a 'Modest Life' and the need to resist the temptations of lagury. x The need of Showing off  may create 'Toxic Emotions of Jealousy and Resentments! They also said how worshiping Money and accumulating more and more possessions, were not the way to have the peace of  mind which people are looking for in order to be grateful and happy! 

 

  I began to notice Al's attachment to 'designers Clothes,  expensive cars, furniture and 'Brand  Name' items and became a bit concerned, that this difference between us, may create disagreements about our lifestyle... I  began to feel very uncomfortable, when people were commenting on the size of the diamond of my Engagement Ring, saying, that for me, the importance of the ring, was not the 'Size of the dimond  Diamond', but rather the fact it once belonged to Al's Grandmother... "Why do you have to say that?" Al asked me puzzled..."Because it is true!" I said, trying to figure out the reason for his 'annoyance'... Al  gave me a hug, stroked my hair and said in a 'Patronizing voic:'"I think I understand darling; it is all so new for you; after all Israel is a small, young and poor country, I am sure that soon you will change your mind about Fine Jewelry and other Luxuris and begin to enjoy them!" He said."You don't realy kno me darling" XI answered, kissing him lightly on the forehead X"But  I am sure that we will learn more about each other as time goes by... 

 

  The weeks before the wedding were intense and full of excitement! However, we were very concerned about Al's mother deteriorating health...The preparation for our wedding, seemed to help for a while, to calm down our thoughts and concerns about her illness...Clara asked us to give her a free hand, to choose the style of the Invitations and the proper Florist and be responsible for the Band and the Photographer, as well as the sitting arraignment and the  invitations for the few gusts from Puerto Rico and the small group of my Israeli friends in N.Y...  When we arrived to Al's parents home, two weeks before the wedding, his mother was radiant! It was hard to believe how ill she was...But we knew it was "Only a matter of time'' and this knowledge clouded our joy...

 

  Back in San Juan there were more parties... One was given by Al's friends, the second by parents of my students and a third, by our proud "Matchmakers" Barbra and Spencer... I was Stunned to get a letter from Paul, letting me know  he was  he was divorcing his wife, realizing his marriage was a "Terrible Mistake!" He was getting ready to start his first post as an Ambassador, in one of the African Countries, sugesting  that the two of us getting back together...  Painful memories began to surface and I felt a sharp stabbing Pain of missing him... I was shocked to discover, that the pain over our separation, I believed was gone forever; was still there and 'Forced it to leave', by reminding myself how grateful I should be, for the 'Gift of love and happiness', which I was now sharing with "Albie" my new man, which destiny has brought to my life, together with his warm loving family and group of friends...I also realized, that it may take some time to let go  completely, of the 'Pain over Paul' and was wondering if it ever will... My parent and my brother Rami, began to plan the trip for our wedding... Dalia, my 'Sister in  law', who was expecting their third Child, stayed home... It would be my parents and brother's first time trip, out of Israel and their joy and excitement added was aded to my  hapiness! 

With Love and Light,

Shira

♪ Falling In Love Again ♪. V, X (Curasao up- Barbedos up rightX.) Fix Photos.... X X OOV

Puerto Rico
1970-1973 

Hello everyone,

      In the 1930's, the famous German actress Marlene Dietrich, settled in Hollywood and became a    popular Movie Star, as well as a Singer...One of her well known songs, was "Lily Marleen". Rumors      say that  during the Second World War, this song was sang by bouth the American And German troops   on both sides of the battlefield... Another of her popular songs was "Falling in love again". I chose as    the title of this post... It is known, that the beginning of most love affairs, is always intoxicating... When    Al  and I fell in love, we were thrilled to discover our similarities... Besides classical music and reading we greatly enjoyed the Arts, Movies and the Theater, as well as the company of close friends and family members (most  of them)... However, we mostly enjoyed being by ourselves, and later on with our one and only child, our daughter Karen...We were also 'Addicted to traveling' and the discovery of interesting new places. It was one of the reason, the two of us ended up in Puerto Rico, where we met...  

 

  As single people we wished to spread our wings and travel as far away as we could... Far  way from our parents 'Nagging' us to "Settle down, get married and have a family:X "Like your friends have done!" The two    of us had much in common: We bouth decided to 'Spread our wings' and fly as far away as we could    from our 'loving and nagging' parents'...Was it just a coincidence, or was it destiny which brought the    two of us together, fall in love and get married, were we trying to escape our parents nagging that   "It is about time to get married!"... What ever the reason was, the two of us were happy we met...  

   Mario was Al's closest friend in Puerto Rico... His family came from Cuba to Florida, after escaping Castro's Regime... He married Marganet, an adorable, natural Red Head, 'Southern Belle' from Florida  The four of us became Inseparable! We spent the weekends together; going to restaurant, movies, the beach, cooking and dining at each other's place, gambling in the Casinos, traveling all over the island    and celebrating Holidays together... Al and I found nd out that our new friends, were Pot Smokers...        Al and  I were were very much against 'Such Things' (Illegal!)... One evening, after having dinner           at  their home; our two friends offered us to "Share a pipe" with them...Al refused to touch it, saying          he just gave up the cigarettes he was addicted to and made promise himself, never to smoke again!'    (Especially not Illegal Substance!'). I on the other hand, remembered my experience I had in N.Y          and was eager to try again...After several "Puffs" I was laughing non stop!' Al who refused to join           us (since he was against any thing 'Illegal') Eventually he gave in. As the pipe was passing  around,        he kept on saying, how he didn't feel anything different until it was time to go home and my 'Albie'       was unable to stand up... For some reason it made him laugh non stop, sweeping the rest of us with       his laughter! No one died or arrested; it was the beginning of a great friendship!

   Every other weekend Al and I would board a small plane to a different island near Porto Rico...        Each one of these islands, belonged at one time or another, to several European Countries: Saint       Martin was Dutch, Martinique was French, in Barbados they spoke English in a British accent and      Saint Martin was divided: One part belonged to Holland, where the people spoke Dutch and the other      was French... Curacao and Martinique were also French, Barbados was British, St John in the "Virgin Islands" belonged to the U.S. where the spoken English had an American accent. Each Island had the same Culture, Art, Music, Food and drinks, as in their old "Mother Land"... 

 

		photo of  Barbados below
St.  John	Martinique	Saint Martin "Sint Marten"

another photo below

     The Island  were the "Miniature Representatives" of the country they belonged to... Al and I preferred the French Islands; where the spoken X langughe was French... The stores and vendors displayed French perfumes,"Copies" of the latest Parisian fashion and 'Miniatures' of the 'Arch de Triumph' and the "Eiffel Tower'. The British Islands offered Umbrellas, Rain Coats,Whiskey and Cigars, while the Dutch Islands displayed wooden shoes, paintings of tulips and 'Key Chains' of miniature Wind Mills...The rest of the Islands were charming as well; each representing  another European Mother Land..... .  

xxx.  up

Curacao

Wooden Dutch shoes

 .

Barbados

British phone booth

  In Barbados, as well as in Jamaica, the natives spoke English   in a British Accent... The Duty Free stores were very similar   to those in the other islands. The tourists could see the typical British red Mailboxes and Phone booths, which I remembered seeing as a child in Jerusalem,when Israel was under the British control...Visiting these islands, felt like a visit to Paradise...The  beauty and peace of the yellow sand beaches, with warm torques water, the Calypso music in addition of Cold Beer for Al and sweet 'Pina Colada' for me; made a perfect background for our growing, intoxicating love! It felt as if we arrived to Paradise and prayed it would stay like this... 

   Suddenly, our time together which was filled with laughter and joy stopped for awhile... we found out that Al's mother was diagnosed with 'Stomach Cancer' and her health was deteriorating fast...Al  was  Flying to visit his mother in Paterson New Jersey, as often as he could... At one point after I drove him    to the Air Port, the two of us were sitting on a bench, waiting for his flight, when Al began to talk about  his mother...To my great amazement, I saw tears rolling down his cheeks ... Never before have I seen a 'grown man' cry... Israeli men never cried in public... Yet here was Al, crying without displaying any Inhibitions or 'Masculine Embarrassment' wiping his eyes, with his Snow White, ironed handkerchief   (Tissues were still unknown) As I was watching him cry, a strange thought suddenly crossed my mind   "A Real Strong Man is not necessarily the one who Never Cries; but the one who dares to do so!" a thought crossed my mind... I believe that this was the moment I decided to marry him, if he ever asks

With Love and Light

Shira

Puero Rico. X. V, OO

Puerto Rico, 1970

Hello Everyone

    I didn't know much about 'Puerto Recants', besides what I learned from the movie"West Side story"        X which was about the Puerto Recans who lived in Manhatten, rather then the Island in the Caribbeans       I was a bit surprised to find out, that Jewish immigrants from Cuba, who were able to escape 'Castro's regime, moved to this beautiful Spanish/English speaking Island, as well as few American families      who came to Puerto Rico, in order to opened factories, so they could enjoy the Tax deduction for their business.I was pleasantly surprised to learn, that besides me there was an Israeli family on this Island Yedida, Elli and their three boys... Their last name was Cohen, like mine and needles to say we became close friends, or rather an 'Immediate Family' as we called ourselves....  

   Besides teaching Hebrew, Bible and Jewish history three hours each day, I was also preparing thirteen years old boys, for their Bar Mitsva' (turning thirteen years old) I was often invited for 'Friday Night Dinner' and other Jewish holiday celebrations...My work as a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher began  at 2:00 p.m, shortly after the Jewish students came out of public school...Since I was not studying at the University (for a change!) I was able to have my morning hours free and used this 'Free Time' to get to know this beautiful Island, by driving around in my second hand car; an old Volkswagen I purchased at       a Used cars Dealership... My mornings were free, since teaching at the Hebrew School, was in the After noon... I was able to drive all around the Island, enjoying the lush green beauty of the 'Rain Forests' and the amazing Water Falls, one could see throughout the island and was able to admire, the golden sand beach, next to the turquoise water...

   Those who saw the movie Fiddler on the Roof, probably remember 'Yentle, the comical Matchmaker...  Even though this "Profession" disappeared with the years; the need to introduce unmarried people, was still in the 'Genetic pool' of every Jewish woman... One day, Barbra the mother of two of my Bar Mitzvah students, cornered me, saying that her husband Spencer, met a charming single Jewish Guy from New Jersey, who is the 'Vice Manger of the well known Carib Hilton Hotel in the island... Spencer told her he was 'Nice looking', very pleasant and a 'Serious Guy'! (Meaning, a good candidate for marriage)... Barbra added that Spencer asked this 'Nice looking, pleasant and 'serious candidate', if he would like to meet a very pretty and intelligent young Israeli teacher and the 'Candidate' agreed...

   My protests that I am not interested in 'any thing serious', since I plan to teach in Australia, after         one year in P.R  fell on deaf ears..."Shira!" Barbra said "Don't forget that this June, you are going           to be twenty six... Don't you think  it is about time to stop running around the world and get married!"      I protested that I was only twenty five and asked her, if someone (my mother maybe?) contacted her asking for help, to save her 'One and only daughter' (me) from becoming an Old Maid, like her three unmarried sisters in law (my aunts) X"What was it all about this 'Serious Candidate?" I was asking suspiciously...X"Don't worry Shira" Barbra said", "Let's have a drink at our home with this young        man before we go for dinner and 'Gamble a bit' at one of the Large Casinos...X What do you have to    loose?X  When I protested that I am not a X Gambler she convinced me that it would be fun!x "Let's          go out and have a good time; if you don't like him you don't have to see him again ! Well, how could          I imagine that I am going to fall in love with him...

  Years later, Al would say that the moment he saw me, at the Rosenberg's living room, he knew I was  "The One he was waiting for!"... We had drinks X(No alcohol oir Shira, just lemonade!). We talked for       a while and took off in Al's "Cadillac", which Barbra made sure to tell me, was a very prestigious car!  On our way to the French Restaurant in old Sun Juan we stopped for gas and were chatting and laughing as the attended was filling up the tank... At one point one point, Al (the 'serious candidate') was saying something so funny, it made me laugh uproariously! It wasn't only what he was saying, as much as his sense of humor, which impressed me so much...It was spontaneous sophisticated, intelligent and funny! "Life could be rather gloomy at times" I found myself thinking and sending him a side look..."To be with someone who has such a great sense of humor, could help overcome many difficulties with laughter!"

   This thought astonished me! I glanced at Al's profile and for the first time, realized how handsome he  was! His sideburns had a touch of silver, which reminded me of Stuart Granger (the movie star I admired  as a Teenager)) I noticed he had good manners, a great sense of humor and was great conversationalist... Just like Paul, Al was six years older than me, as a matter of fact I realized with amazement, that these  two men actually resembled one another! As we were pulling away from the Gas Station, I felt how the heavy door in my heart, which was tightly closed, after my separation from Paul, was beginning to crack  a bit open ... Could this man be The One?" I found myself wondering... It was scary but also exciting! 

   The menu was in French...When Al asked me what would I like to start with, I confessed that I am not  familiar with the French Cuisine... Al sugested I try the Escargot! Being born and raised in Israel, where even 'Non-kosher' Jews like me were repelled by any kind of Seafood except fish... I was assuming that 'Escargot' meant 'Escarole'..."What could be wrong with 'lettuce'?" I told myself... The answer came when a large plate, full of 'Slimy Creatures' in their shells, 'swimming' in melted butter, was put in front of me... I had to confess that it was the first time in my life, to be served this kind of food, and had no idea how to eat it... Al gallantly offered to teach me, the way I should hold the special 'Pliers' and tiny fork which came with this"Treat... When I attempted to do so, the shell with the 'creature' in it, slipped out and flew all the way across the restaurant, barely missing one of the Diners...

Ellie and Yedida  "Chosen family"	Shira	First date at Michel French Restaurant	Al	Spencer and Barbara, our "Matchmakers"

 

     Four years later after moving to California, Al (my husband by then) and I hosted a dinner party in   our garden... I suggested that each couple would talk about their first date... After Al told this story to    the amused guests, he added: "The moment I saw the 'shell', flying all over the place, I decided to marry  Shira! I figured there is so much I could teach her!" I straightened my back and said sweetly:"You know what Albie? You sound like a typical 'Male Chauvinist Pig', who believes he could 'Mold any woman'  according to his own taste'; When would you finally realize it will never work out with me darling?!" I smiled sweetly...There was a loud laughter and some applauds  by the women, who took the opportunity  to complain about their controlling husbands; who came back, with their own complaints, about their wives... It was very entertaining until the friendly argument began to change from a teasing conversation into Combative and Angry wards.. I caught Al's eye, sending him a silent massage of concern and was relived, when he raised his hand and asked for silence... "Guys" He declared: "Let's be honest here! We have to admit that our wives may have a point! After all we are men who are dominating by nature, so please forgive us dear Ladies, come on gays, let's  all calm down, stop arguing and go with Shira to the kitchen to wash the dishes and don't forget  Ladies, to bring us our randy, coffee and cigar, before you    do that!" I invited the 'angry laughing' women to come with me to the kitchen, where we put a "Bitter Surprise" in our husbands coffee... 

      About fifteen years after the 'Snail Incident', Al and I were watching the movie 'Pretty Woman',which showed Julia Roberts, struggling with her 'Escargot' ,when the 'Snail in the shell' takes off and lands on the other side of the room, on someone head...In later years I often wondered if one of the guests at our dinner party, have passed on this story to someone they knew in the movie business, who adopted the idea of 'The Escargot'... After all Hollywood is right next door to Studio City, where we lived... It could also be that one of our next door neighbors, who was a script writer (or his wife, whom we never liked) was listening behind our common fence, while we were disusing this and got the idea for the movie...   

   At the beginning of this post I shared how attracted I was to Al's sense of humor, which was similar to  my Dad's... As the years passed by and the two of us, were going through many challenges; our humor and love of laughter, would often help us overcame many difficulties and painful moments... Below are some of these 'Precious moments of laughter', which my darling husband and I shared through out our life...

With Love, Light and laughter
Shira