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y husband and I are sitting in Dallas - Fort Worth Int'l Airport (DFW), the busiest airport in Texas, and the third busiest in terms of aircraft movements in the world. It's the largest and main hub for American Airlines.
We're headed for San Diego, CA, to attend the 50th Anniversary of our dear friends, Barbara and Mat Loonen. The celebration is being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and their whole " mishpokhe" will be there.
My AA flight is delayed and my husband " er hot shpilkes" (he can't sit still). I strike up a conversation with a woman who has just visited her only "tokhter" (daughter), who resides in S. Florida. She's "shepen naches" (drawing pleasure) from the success of her daughter and son-in-law.
Her daughter has been "matsliakhdik" (successful) as a CEO; her son-in-law owns an airplane. They live in a McMansion on several acres in Jupiter. The couple are " breythartsik" (generous) with her, providing first-class airline tickets, and a lovely wardrobe spread out over the year.
The conversation brings to mind the poetic lines from David M. Bader's "Haikus for Jews":
Our youngest daughter our most precious jewel. Hence the name Tiffany.
Over the PA system, it is announced that first-class passengers may board the airplane. The woman grabs her belongings, turns to me, and says seven memorable words: "I don't have an 'eynikel' (grandchild)."
My husband and I look at each other. Without saying a "vort," we know the meaning of "a shtik nakhes"--a great joy. For you see, we have three children and four grandchildren.
Bruce David (davidart.com) told the next very touching story: A group of elderly people reside in an infirmary. All the people in this one room were so weak and incapacitated that they couldn't get out of their beds. Because they didn't have much joy in their lives, they all looked forward to "fraytik" (Friday). On Friday, Ari, an elderly gentleman who had a "bet" (bed) under the only window in the room, would summon all his strength to pull himself up and look out the window.
Then, he would describe to the other residents all the happenings going on in the streets of Jerusalem as people scurried about getting ready for Shabbat. He would describe the people in the market purchasing Challah breads and other delightful foods for their Shabbat meals. Ari would try to describe in as much detail everything he could, from the light of the sun reflecting off the buildings, to the joy of the children playing in the streets
The other residents would give a "shmeykhl" (a smile) as they remembered and shared their own beautiful Shabbat stories of the wonderful Shabbats they had spent with family and friends. This was their favorite time of the "vokh."
Unfortunately, after a period of time, Ari got "krank" (sick) and the orderlies came and took him to another section of the hospital. A few days later, a woman named Leah was moved into Ari's old bed. The other residents explained to her about what Ari did every Shabbat, and how important it was to them, and encouraged Leah to try to do the same. Leah was very " alt" and weak, but she could tell that this was very important to the rest of the people in the room and decided to try. She even started exercising her arms to give her more strength. When Friday finally came, everyone was very excited. Slowly, with great effort, Leah reached up to the ledge, and little by little pulled herself up to the window. When she looked out, everyone was so excited, anxiou! s to hear what was happening in the marketplace as people prepared for Shabbat.
However, instead of describing the scene outside the window to them, Leah slowly lowered herself back down into her "bet.". The others were shocked! What about all the people getting ready for Shabbat? What about all the kids playing in the streets? Finally, slowly, Leah said to them, "There is nothing outside this window but a red brick wall."
So, as we greet 2006, let's see beyond this solid "royt" (red) wall in our own lives, to the vision of what it can be IF WE DO GET IT RIGHT. Can we see the beauty and preciousness of a legacy that envisions all people living together in peace?
President Bush, more than 3,000 American G.I.'s have been killed. Please do NOT escalate the war and send more Americans to Iraq. This war is NOT worth fighting. As New York Times columnist, Bob Herbert, said, "It is criminal to continue feeding our troops into the slaughter"
Happy New Year to all.
Thanks to Bruce David for providing the above-shown story.
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