a balloontwister’s aliya saga

Baruch dayan emes.

Oma passed away. Penina’s Grandmother died friday and it turned a happy homecoming into a sad one. I was not in the house 1 hour when the news came. Several hours later, we were listening to the hespedim as my father put his cell phone near the speakers so we could feel a part of the hespedim and hear about the life of oma.

Although she was a few weeks from 99… it was still a shock as she fought all the time and came back from every illness.

Rabbi weiss spoke last and mentioned that if we could always be sameach bchelkoy… we have taken a page from her life. This REALLY hit home. I’ll always remember that. next time when I get on a 11 hour flight or have to drive hours to make a connection flight I’ll do it without cringing or making a big deal. This woman went through 2 world wars, being widowed for most of her life, came to a new country etc….and always had a smile on her face. Despite not understanding what I was saying many a times.. she always laughed (when my father in law transalated what I was saying into hungarian) and I think we have to really be thankful for what we have and realize that H-shem is doing what is best for us ultimately.

Shabbos we ate home and then went to a friend for the next day seudah. Vitamlansky (I have no idea..sp..?) He is a rabbi at lev hatorah and will probably be buying at ramat shilo. He is a good friend of cousin Eli (rabbi eli) Reich and is a terrific guy. Penina and Mrs. Mlansky are becoming good friends and they have been inviting us for weeks… unfortunately .. I was not home for a bit… so this was the week… too bad for them they didn’t get the regular Yudie .. they got the Jet lag yudie… which may not be a good thing.. .regular yudie is more annoying .. but more alert… Jet lag yudie just came from a kiddush and getting only a few hours of sleep and having 2 shots of single malt…. makes for a sleepy yudie. I wonder if they were thinking.. wow, we waited for this? sometimes the waiting for something is better than the actual thing. i.e. ketchup, summer camp, …er….easter?… (sorry, I had nothing)…Well, I dont think I’ll be allowed back. There are actually several families that never had me over… but are always inviting penina and the kids… hmmm… wonder why that is…..

Today was the day that we were all supposed to go somewhere. Penina flew back sat. night to Staten Island for the shiva. So it was ME with the kids. I have no idea how Im going to make it through friday when she comes back. I have to work 40 hours. Get the kids up for school. Prepare meals. Rides. Soccer car pool. clothes. Taking the crust off the bread. Water. Other stuff. ANY work 40 hours. Kind of what penina does except for the 40 hours of work. I’m not sure I’ll have a job past this week. But If I do.. I think I’m going to try walking on water. safer than trying to deflect bullets I guess. Well, once penina promised a tiyul. I had to deliver so we went to the safari in Ramat Gan. We had such a great time. Its fun having the animals come to the door… but when the kids scream when the windows suddenly open… its just priceless.

An ostrich was slamming his beak against the window and an Crowned crane was looking at himself in the side mirrors and pecking the tires. Tamar is even scared to see the pictures of the crane. But it was great, as it was a safari plus a zoo with dozens of species of animals.

Well, theres more to report.. but I have onyl a few hours of sleep until Tamar wakes me up.

U.D.