FNN: VP Pence Speaks Against Anti-Semitism During Visit to Vandalized Je...

   Vice President Pence visited Chesed Shel Emes cemetery in St. Louis last Wednesday when many St.Louisans went to help clean up the vandalized cemetery. Governor Greitens who is the first Jewish governor was also there. The vice president spoke and helped clean up the cemetery.  This act was so comforting and significant to me. The vandalism put me in a state of shock and sadness. It was as though the vice president was coming for a shiva call for a cemetery that housed so many bodies of people who had loved the United States and had been so grateful to be here.The vice president's word's denounced such a heinous act . I have great hakaras hatov for Vice President Pence for showing up in our time of need.
    Unfortunately another Jewish cemetery was descecrated in the same fashion this weekend in Philedelphia. We Jews have our work cut out for us to fight anti-semitism. Its good to know that the vice president is on our side.

Chesed Shel Emes

    Last week there was a horrific act of vandalism at the Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery in St. Louis.  I have grandparents, great grandparents and great -great grandparents buried there as well as many aunts and uncles. Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery was established in the late 1800's.  My great-great grandparents were buried there 1919-1920. When I heard that nearly 200 headstones were knocked over I felt like the wind was knocked out of me.When  I heard the newscaster say that they weren't yet calling it a hate crime was when I was certain that it was. Headstones are made of STONE. Stones are VERY heavy. One stone overturned could be a prank, not over  100 overturned.
     Today in Philadelphia another Jewish cemetery was vandalized in the same way. My heart goes out to those whose loved ones are buried there.
     They will find out who committed these crimes but its just as frightening to find out who the perpetrator was.It could be a white supremacist , but it could also be a so called leftist. Unfortunately there is no shortage of those who dislike Jews.

Alone

     When one has an injury one realizes one isn't as alone as one thought but on the other hand one realizes one is more alone than one would like to be.
      Several years ago an acquaintance of mine had fallen ill. She was single. Fortunately her 82 year old mom was able to help her. After she recovered she told me that she realized how lucky she was that her mom had been around and was  physically able to help her.She also realized that she really needed to find others to be close enough with in the event she needed someones help in the future.After all her mom was 82. At the time I could relate . I was single then I am single now. Of course now I understand this even more.  It takes a village as they say because as independent as a person is and I am fiercely independent,one still NEEDS others. We don't just need people for what they can do for us we need others for what we can share with them. People can be so vulnerable. Its not good to be alone. I think I have had enough alone time to satisfy me for quite some time.
         

Hugs

     One thing one realizes when one injures an arm is that it takes two arms to give a hug which is really sad because when one is injured one could really use a hug. I  can't give a hug now and I can't really receive one on account of my left shoulder....
      One of the hardest parts of recovery is mastering the art of patience. I am mostly a patient person but when it comes to healing I want it done yesterday. This of course is not how healing works . It takes time and it takes patience. Healing takes time. Even harried  New Yorkers have to wait to heal. Its just the way it works. A person MUST adjust to the situation or one will have a very unhappy several months.
        Fortunately the hardest part is the beginning. I had to get used to using one hand. One doesn't realize how much one uses both hands for so many tasks. Now that its been 3 weeks I have  gotten used to it .  Now that its been three weeks I also know that I am 3 weeks closer to recovery which in itself makes it easier.
         I have also been fortunate to have friends and family who have really been there  for me and are helping me get through this difficult time.
      As of Friday I finally got my focus back. Until then I could not concentrate enough to read a book. Injuries to the body effect the brain as well. No matter how together a person is it takes a little time for ones psyche to adjust.
      I am looking forward to some hugs in the not so distant future as everyday of my recovery continues. My shoulder injury has forced me to slow down which is good.Its just too bad it took fracturing my shoulder to do so.

Snow Day

     The best part about the snow today is that I have plenty of food and I didn't have to go to work today. Here are a few pictures I took from my window.Love the snow   stripes on my window.

The in Between

     I haven't had time off of work like this since my dad passed away almost 7 years ago. Being home due to an injury is different than being off for a  death in the family. I had always hoped I would have extended time off for maternity leave but alas life is full of surprises.
      It took me a little bit to be at peace with my situation. Bone healing takes time and nurturing. As much as I would like it to be healed yesterday I know it takes time.
      My favorite line people spout is to enjoy my time off. I don't miss work but I would not call having a fractured shoulder enjoyable. Its not the worst thing in the world but I would much prefer to have extended time off for a fun reason. Broken bones hurt and make it hard to sleep without waking up a gillion times.  For me an awesome vacation includes good sleeping. I'm also not such a homebody. I like being out and about.
     Its easy to get swallowed up by work responsibilities and forget to nurture one's social life . A shoulder injury is quite a reminder. Being social is important to well being as much as being able to afford one's life. Being social makes life worth living. Right now I'm not really social or working. I am speaking to good friends more often which is something I must continue once I recover. As much as I would like to socialize right now I really need to rest up. When I am all better I will be back on the merry-go-round. Some of my perspective has changed but so much is easier said than  done.

I Spy a Mezuzah

   I am not a football fan but someone posted this on facebook and to see an American commercial with a mezuzah in it is pretty cool

Independence

     I am always  amazed by people who love being "the sick one" to get attention. If they aren't really sick they will  invent an ailment. They love attention even if its negative. I am the opposite. I don't want to be ill and I try to do it all without  relying on others. It is important to know when to ask for help but often I am too impatient to wait for others to get their act together so I do things myself. as much as possible. There is a balance between asking for help when one needs it without being overly needy.
   I tend to want to be more self reliant than is necessary but  that isn't all bad. Being motivated to be self reliant is a good motivation to achieve instead of having to be self reliant because everyone has tired of your pity party. I have to learn to cut others slack for not living up to the high standards I have set for myself.
   
   

   

Life, Animated

     I just saw a very uplifting documentary called Life, Animated.. LA is a film about an adorable little boy who is diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. His love for Disney movies was the bridge to communicate with others.
     Though this film is pretty standard kid is autistic family  learns to cope stock, the animation is enchanting. For this alone the journey is worthwhile.

Stuck in the Past

     Trump is like the early 60's, Hilary is like the late 60's and Obama who created more race riots since 1965 is like the mid 60's. Its 2017. Can't we glamourize a different decade or forge a new path? This one's getting old.

Khaled - C'est la vie (Clip officiel)

   This is a great song. It was remade in Israel a few years ago during the war in Gaza. Its good in every language.

Panel on Discuss Monday Night Massacre: Trump Fires Acting AG. Part 3 @A...

    This really cracks me up. Just watch the first two minutes. Basically the clip is trying to say that all he double toothpicks breaks out on shabbos when The Donald can't consult with Jarrod. Who knows if this is true or not but its fun to see them mention shabbos and politics.