I started this blog as my kosher journey. The end result was supposed to be living a more orthodox lifestyle including proper observance of Shabbos and the laws of kashrut. However, we pulled into the "more observant and in touch with our faith, but keeping kosher only in the house" station and it seems that is as far as this train travels. It's a nice place, and I can see making this my final destination. I've visited the areas around the more observant stations and for the most part, they are all very nice. But I haven't actually found a "home" in any of those places. Here, for now, I'm comfortable. I'm looking to learn more about my faith and study the Torah more to discuss the parshas on a weekly basis. I'm happy with my "kosher-style" kitchen. I'm a little more lenient than I was and much more lenient outside than I was previously (my daughter ordered shrimp on our trip down to Florida and I kept my mouth shut).
I'm back to wearing pants and uncovering my hair. I've lost touch with the rabbi who was helping me with my learning.
I remain forever changed by my trip to Israel last year. I will always be changes by my experiences there. And by the lessons I learned. I have become more tolerant of people in general because of the "Chapter Three" lesson I learned in Israel.
But considering I'm no longer on this journey, or at least, have found a way station i am happy at, is it right to continue blogging about it?
Is it, maybe time to focus my energies on something else?
Friday, March 8, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
What my Grandmother's Passing Taught Me
Saturday morning, January 26, 2013, my beloved grandmother passed away in her 103rd year. On March 24, she would have turned 103.
I learned some things over the next few days.
I learned my grandmother's maiden name was changed when her parents moved from the Ukraine to Canada. I figured it must have been, but didn't know what it was.
I learned my great grandfather was born in Bulgaria. No one is quite sure how they met, as my great grandmother was born in Kiev.
My grandparents lived with my grandmother's family for 10 years before they bought their first home.
My grandmother never went to high school but she did go to Business college and did the bookkeeping in my great grandfather's produce store.
If my great grandfather had any sons who were interested in business, you could be shopping at Marlow's instead of Longo's. or Loblaw's. Alas, none of my grandmother's 3 brothers were interested in the business.
Thinly veiled hostility has no place at a shiva house. And I witnessed a lot of VERY thinly veiled hostility between some family members.
The ones who truly care go out of their way to comfort you.
I really, really, really miss my grandma.
I learned some things over the next few days.
I learned my grandmother's maiden name was changed when her parents moved from the Ukraine to Canada. I figured it must have been, but didn't know what it was.
I learned my great grandfather was born in Bulgaria. No one is quite sure how they met, as my great grandmother was born in Kiev.
My grandparents lived with my grandmother's family for 10 years before they bought their first home.
My grandmother never went to high school but she did go to Business college and did the bookkeeping in my great grandfather's produce store.
If my great grandfather had any sons who were interested in business, you could be shopping at Marlow's instead of Longo's. or Loblaw's. Alas, none of my grandmother's 3 brothers were interested in the business.
Thinly veiled hostility has no place at a shiva house. And I witnessed a lot of VERY thinly veiled hostility between some family members.
The ones who truly care go out of their way to comfort you.
I really, really, really miss my grandma.
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