5.3.25
We have only had about three rainy days this whole winter. On one of them, my at least ten year old umbrella finally caved in beyond repair. I liked it very much. It had a long handle so did not fold up, which I am convinced was its secret of longevity. I managed never to lose it over many years of loyal use. Reluctantly, I let it go and made my way to town to find a new one. Lo and behold, in the heart of Jerusalem, in a little Five and Dime toy, notions, ‘stuffed to the gills’ store, opposite Kikar Zion, I spotted it.
A single, lovely powder blue umbrella with a matching fake leather case beckoned me, letting me know it was dangling in the breeze of a sunny day, waiting to be picked, just by me. True love at first sight, a perfect match. I entered the shop and asked the salesclerk if I could have it. He took it down, showed me how to open and close it and even pointed out the added feature of a flashlight. Imagine that! All this for a mere NIS 50. I even took a picture of it to share with one of my daughters, so tickled pink (well actually light blue) was I. Good thing, too.
I was delighted and went home happy, secretly hoping the rains would soon come a tumblin’ down. Within a few days they sure enough did. I left the house with my brand new umbrella in hand, barely made it up to my car and it was windblown inside out, but not broken. About I went on an errand and returned home an hour or so later. Busy with other things, I only realized I had not brought down the case. Figuring I must have left it in the car, I wasn’t concerned. In a later search I discovered no, it was not in the car. I turned my house upside down and inside out. I had bought that umbrella in good part due to its attractive, luxurious looking case. I use different purses and additional bags, every one of which I thoroughly searched. I was possessed. I could not get that darn thing out of my head. I frequently misplace things and just as frequently find them, in the oddest of places and cannot imagine how they even got into them. Occasionally I lose an earring, in fact more often than occasionally. Fortunately, I own none of monetary value.
There is some old wives’ custom to take a glass and turn it over, leave it on the countertop, and then the missing item should appear. This really works! I tried a few months ago and wow, whatever it was, I don’t remember now, was found!
But even though the glass remains turned over, in this case, the case seems lost forever. I went back to the store to see if they had any more umbrellas in stock. No, and they won’t be ordering till next winter! I went into several purse and luggage accessory shops and saw nothing remotely close. Finally I tried Ali Express and am awaiting my order of something similar.
So what does this have to do with anything at all? I grew too attached to some silly piece of plastic, which I had liked so much. Leave it be. This should be my biggest worry and I am grateful that it more or less is.
During these dark and ever more difficult days for Am Yisrael, in the midst of which we are commanded to rejoice and be happy in Chodesh Adar, I truly know how lucky I and my family are. As bad as this war has been, I am not amongst the bereaved, the displaced or the wounded, nor am I waiting for a loved one to be released from Hamas captivity, dead or alive.
I have the privilege and luxury to moan about an insignificant, inanimate object, while they pine for over 500 endless days wondering, hoping for the best outcomes.
Some already know the fate of their son or daughter, granddad, father, brother or husband. We have seen in what condition some have returned. Those who miraculously endured over a year and a few months with little nutrients, no sunshine, no human contact.
Shiri Bibas’ body or should I say, ‘remains’, were finally returned following that outrageous ‘mixup’ fiasco. Whoever else’s remains were first put into that locked without a key coffin, remains a mystery. Shiri and her two little toddlers were murdered pretty early on in this mess and buried together in one coffin. That speaks volumes for itself. Her husband Yarden, who was himself released less than one month ago, maintained such dignified composure throughout the funeral, as did Shiri’s only sister Dana, who in additon to this immense tragedy, lost their parents on October 7th.
The ever growing and more sinister ploys and shtick pulling by Hamas continue. Now we are finally, just finally, halting humanitarian aid. What has taken us so long??? Have you seen the reports and footage of the mass feasts Gazans are enjoying at the end of each day of the Ramadan Fast? It is just unbelievable to see the vendors showing off their gourmet delicacies, and the endlessly long tables laden with goodies, while in the same breath the world continues to fall for the pity party clips of the poor being starved by Israelis Gazans. It’s as if we’re seeing a movie set with different rooms. The whole business has been staging phony pleas from the get go. The released hostages all suffered from massive weight loss and malnutrition. Only days before they were let go, or rather paraded around, to the glee of cheering and jeering madmen and women, forced to wave and smile first, they were stuffed like geese, to look a little bit better. They all require specially designed health plans and careful monitoring to ensure their digestive systems can reintroduce and restore the necessary, vital minerals and vitamins, slowly. Their emotional health is on the line, questionable and concerning, even of those who appear to have gotten back on track.
Time will tell how long and how much the effects of their ordeal will plague them. All of them must process their experiences along with the loss of next of kin, for many, which they only learned of upon their return.
The Gazawood appeals popping up on You Tube channels as well, are material and fodder for ridicule. The actors continue to blame Israel for all their troubles. Even some dodo Jewish Israelis have jumped on the bandwagon, stomping around, having infantile tantrums. University professors, high school teachers who are not doing their jobs but rather messing with our young people’s impressionable heads. Those pathetic fools who were awarded an Oscar for some film whose name I won’t bother to publish, so malicious is it and its content. The vicious vitriol was accorded delight and cheers by the equally ignorant and foolish audience.
To end on a higher note, I just saw the weather forecast. Tempest ‘Coral’ has arrived! The folks at the weather bureau simply reposted the same headline from two weeks ago, as if nothing happened, as if we don’t remember. Nothing actually happened then, after all the fuss and bother and excitement their prediction of snow drummed up. Today is sunny and crisp, with no signs of any storm brewing. But it’s only early morning so anything can and will happen. Maybe this time snow really will fall. We could use some good cheer and fun with Purim around the corner.
I always enjoy it much more when it’s wintry outdoors, even if all the costumes get royally ruined. Indoors it’s warm and cozy, glowing.
We have suffered insufferable losses. Our martyrs’ memories will never be forgotten! May we well and truly remember what Amalek did to our people/ We must never forget that in every generation there is a tyrant who calls for our annihilation. Yet we will find hope and build again.
May Haman’s memory be utterly blotted out along with its current characters in the form of Hamas and Hezbollah and their cohorts. With several of the main villains already long since ‘dispensed’ with and out of the picture, I daresay we are off to a pretty good start! Chag Purim Sameach!
Thank you Adina