Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
It’s Been a Year
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
I sat at a cafe and glanced down at an abandoned newspaper. The Lifestyle section had a column titled “Fifty Things We Learned in 2009″. I sighed. It seemed that everywhere I turned, the media was assembling synopses.
At first I thought the summaries bothered me because I am more comfortable looking ahead than I am looking back. Or it could be because I thought it was preposterous to try to sum up 365 days in one column or television segment.
But then it dawned on me. The reason I didn’t want to review the last year was because it was dangerous territory. If I dipped my toe in the water of nostalgia, I would likely be pulled in by the tide of gratitude. If I gave it just a little thought, if I put together the pieces of the last twelve months, I would see that I had a year overflowing with mind-blowing blessings. And I really needed to write a final paper for grad school today.
As I sat in the pew of my synagogue, mesmerized by Harrison’s d’var torah as he become a bar mitzvah, I knew it was a special year. A shy child become a bold man, looking his guests in the eye as he shook their hands, allowing himself to be body-passed over the dancing crowd, hugging me when he thanked me and Michael at the end of the night. It was a year of watching Olivia mature, too, as she generously handed her brother the limelight, and as she made fresh choices for healthy friendships. There was nothing like watching her ferociously face opponents on the basketball court, too.
My brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and parents astounded me with their bottomless well of love in 2009. They flew out to California for Harrison’s bar mitzvah, and filled the crowd at my book launch in Milwaukee. They called me and offered me support as I decided to leave consultancy and seek the next career move. Throughout the last year, they constantly told me words that still make me cry today: I’ve got your back.
It was a year of nieces. Sabrina moved in with us, and Stephanie spent after school hours with the kids every week. They both share their spirit, their humor, their zeal for life with our households. They are forbidden to leave the state. I’ve offered them incentives to lure their siblings to California.
This year I finally deeply understand the transitions my mom had the courage to go through in her own life, and I credit her with my strength and stamina. She was my first one to read my manuscript, she is my first call after a victory, and the first voice of support on a bad day. She held up my book at every one of her networking meetings, boasting about her daughter and selling books, and she scheduled my book launch in Milwaukee. Forget the woman behind the man. She’s the mom behind the woman.
Hikes with girlfriends and candid conversations were the highlights of my weeks last year. I am so fortunate to have friends who showed such unbridled enthusiasm when The New Jew was published, and their support for everything I do means the world to me.
My book tour gave me the unexpected bonus of spending time with friends I had lapsed with. They opened their homes to me when I stayed in their cities, feeding me, giving me vitamins when I was getting overrun from exhaustion. I felt nurtured and loved every time I travelled, and friendships have found second lives.
A surprise romance opened my heart to love in a new stage of life, and I am so very lucky. It’s different this time around – kids, schedules, careers and life’s daily bustle make it challenging to see each other sometimes, but I’m learning to integrate, and it is lovely.
It was a year with death. My brother-in-law Marshall passed away. I miss him very much. I don’t think I’ll ever see a smile like his again. I was stunned by the death of my friend Robert, a friend of mine from Larchmont Temple. When I was last there he took a photo of me that I loved so much, I use it on my Facebook author page. They, and others, are gone. But they are not forgotten.
It is confirmed – I cannot possibly summarize an entire year in an essay. For every sentence of gratitude I begin, ten more pop into my mind. How can I recall each pomegranate colored sunset over my deck, the cat’s smug expression from the sofa, the raucous games of Pictionary, the sound of the branches brushing my window, the taste of the best smoothie ever, the feel of my daughter’s hand in mine?
I have just one New Year’s resolution: to give back even half as much as I received last year.
Happy New Year.
Posted in Blog, Friends and such, Uncategorized, memory | 1 Comment »
Movie Night
Saturday, August 29th, 2009
“Good news, kids! It’s movie night!!”
I always love movie night at home with Harrison and Olivia. We make popcorn on the stovetop, pour sodas and sports drinks over ice, grab a bag of sweets, and load it all onto a tray with our special old-fashioned red-and-white striped individual popcorn containers. We spread two blankets over our three laps and feel festive before we even hit “play” on the DVD player.
So I was a little taken aback when, after my announcement, Harrison and Olivia sighed in unison and say, “Oh, no.”
”What? What is it?”
They exchanged knowing glances. ”Is it an inspirational movie?” Olivia shook her head. (more…)
Tags: inspiriation, mothers, movie
Posted in Blog, Motherhood | No Comments »
A Whole Lot of Nothing
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
It is June 16th, and it hardly seems like summer has started. Overcast and cool, time seems to stand still on days like these. The kids love it, as do I.
“Pajama day!” they’ve declared for the last four days, when their school year ended. That’s code for, “We’re not getting dressed today. No matter what.” It includes going on errands or playing outside. They even talked me into joining them on their summer dress code yesterday. I lasted till 1:00 p.m.
It’s not that things haven’t been eventful since summer officially started. Family, friends and new faces joined me in my Oakland book launch party last week – a wonderful event of book signing, reading, trivia contest and most importantly – gratitude. We celebrated Harrison’s 13th birthday the next day (could it really be I’m the parent of a teenager now? Strange, that he’s getting older and I’m not). (more…)
Tags: Beach, Book launch, Children, Films, Summer
Posted in Blog | 1 Comment »
Coffee in Manhattan
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
It is 8am and the streets of Manhattan are whirring on this rainy morning. I’m sitting on the edge of a sofa bed in my friend’s Upper West Side apartment, sipping strong coffee, half-dressed for today’s luncheon, which will be followed by dinner, followed by a book signing, followed by drinks with friends. Was it just four days ago that I was at the bar mitzvah brunch?
I knew that Saturday, May 30th would be magical. What I didn’t know is that it would transformational. During the week beforehand, all odds were against hit. Harrison was hit with strep throat on Wednesday, and Olivia and I spent Thursday night in the ER for an injured finger. Guests were arriving, place cards had to be made, and there were many details to take care of. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, bar mitzvah, book tour, Manhattan
Posted in Blog, Manhattan, bar mitzvah, book tours, srok friedes | No Comments »
Countdown
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Saturday marked one week before Harrison’s bar mitzvah. There was much to do – finalizing decorations, organizing airport transportation, helping Harrison with his preparations, creating gift bags, and much more. Its a lot to think about – in addition to working, enrolling in my next round of graduate school classes, and planning my first New York book event tour that will take place days after the bar mitzvah.
It might be surprising, then, to hear me say that it was perfect that my brother and his family were visiting this weekend. (more…)
Tags: bar mitzvah, family meals, mothers
Posted in Blog, bar mitzvah | 2 Comments »