My nephew, sixty-four years old and unschooled in Jewish practice, found himself crying when the Torah was passed down from two sets of grandparents, to the parents, and finally to my grandson at his Bar Mitzvah this past shabbes in Minnesota.
Tender is exactly the right word. My mother was hardly connected to her Judaism. She was mostly in a deep sleep and unconscious during the period of her dying from Pancreatic cancer. One day she stunned me by reciting the Kaddish.
The sacred aerates and rises like egg white. My mother talked a lot about "going home" when she was dying. I knew she wasn't talking about terrestrial geography.
Susie, this is gorgeous writing, as always and I appreciate your covering these belonging-related topics in such a sensitive way. I wish you all the best with your double-headed move! Max and I have made more moves than we could ever have anticipated, with our biggest being our most recent (Denver, CO to Rochester, NY) and we are thankful to be here and be near family. We do miss old friends but the closest ones stay in touch.
Marjorie....I believe you were one of the influences. At some point, being near family became the driving factor and everything else fell into place. All decisions involve a trade off, but I found that this discernment was not difficult to arrive at. It was earlier on because we weren't ready. Now, it's clear.
Moving essay, though religion of any kind is my least favorite topic these days. I do understand the emotional pull you describe so beautifully.
Reading that you are relocating shook me up. Our daughter is in Vancouver, BC with our new grandson. Having been pulled back to Oswego and my beloved Lake Ontario, I can’t imagine pulling up stakes, especially at 75, but who knows….? Brst wishes for a smooth transition. 💚
I often find your responses provocative. In this instance, I realized that I'm drawn to the religious dimension when it's mind and heart expanding and extremely wary of it when it's mind and heart constricting which, needless to say, it often is. I'm amazed and touched by the depth of people's response to our move. It's a little bit brave and a little bit crazy.
Very, very moving. I light candles on Friday night and cry when I hear klezmer music. I expect you will awaken many a sleeping soul with this narrative.
Much appreciated, Don. We're flying back east today and will be in Stockbridge for about five weeks before making the final move. Couldn't do it without the support and understanding of family and friends.
Thanks for identifying with my process. I always begin with the personal...then go on to the conceptual, metaphysical. Sometimes, it feels like too much in the way of big ideas. Then I have to bring it back to lived experience.
Tender is exactly the right word. My mother was hardly connected to her Judaism. She was mostly in a deep sleep and unconscious during the period of her dying from Pancreatic cancer. One day she stunned me by reciting the Kaddish.
The sacred aerates and rises like egg white. My mother talked a lot about "going home" when she was dying. I knew she wasn't talking about terrestrial geography.
Susie, this is gorgeous writing, as always and I appreciate your covering these belonging-related topics in such a sensitive way. I wish you all the best with your double-headed move! Max and I have made more moves than we could ever have anticipated, with our biggest being our most recent (Denver, CO to Rochester, NY) and we are thankful to be here and be near family. We do miss old friends but the closest ones stay in touch.
Marjorie....I believe you were one of the influences. At some point, being near family became the driving factor and everything else fell into place. All decisions involve a trade off, but I found that this discernment was not difficult to arrive at. It was earlier on because we weren't ready. Now, it's clear.
Always a pleasure to read your writing. Good luck with the move. I am sure there will be stories about it!
Thanks, Alice. I see a whole new terrain opening up.
Beautiful. Wonderful news about your upcoming moves.
Stay tuned for new vistas.
Moving essay, though religion of any kind is my least favorite topic these days. I do understand the emotional pull you describe so beautifully.
Reading that you are relocating shook me up. Our daughter is in Vancouver, BC with our new grandson. Having been pulled back to Oswego and my beloved Lake Ontario, I can’t imagine pulling up stakes, especially at 75, but who knows….? Brst wishes for a smooth transition. 💚
I often find your responses provocative. In this instance, I realized that I'm drawn to the religious dimension when it's mind and heart expanding and extremely wary of it when it's mind and heart constricting which, needless to say, it often is. I'm amazed and touched by the depth of people's response to our move. It's a little bit brave and a little bit crazy.
I like that distinction re religion—expanding rather than constricting.
Even though I never see you, I think of you and Frank as Berkshire fixtures. But it seems like a good idea—to be close to family.
I've been here for 50 years!
See? You’re and institution❣️
Beautiful, thank you for setting it down in words - and everyone is moving, forward, onward, inward.
I love this perspective on moving and how we’re all always doing it,
Very, very moving. I light candles on Friday night and cry when I hear klezmer music. I expect you will awaken many a sleeping soul with this narrative.
Many thanks. The part that especially gets me is the element of surprise. You never know when you’re going to be touched.
I found this very powerful.
Also, I hope your relocation(s) go as smoothly as these things can.
Much appreciated, Don. We're flying back east today and will be in Stockbridge for about five weeks before making the final move. Couldn't do it without the support and understanding of family and friends.
This essay just knocks me out. It’s an amazing flow of words, feelings, ideas, and needs — ripped from the headlines of your life.
Thanks for identifying with my process. I always begin with the personal...then go on to the conceptual, metaphysical. Sometimes, it feels like too much in the way of big ideas. Then I have to bring it back to lived experience.
(Tears at 8am. ) Time out of time….. my heart brims with tenderness. ‘Improbable separation.”
Just beautiful in every way.
Tenderness is such a deep word. It really conveys the joy and sadness of this occasion....but of all of life, really.
Yes yes…….♥️ tenderness above all else.
PS: Your move sounds enormous.