Shalom: One of the wonderful things about being with Todd and family is learning that they as a family had gone through similar losts as we had over the year. Not only did Todd lose his job, but his home as well. But it was the kindness of the Amish that saved his family. First, they were given a trailer to rent, later they were offered a home by the family who rented out the trailer. A home Todd and family opened to Mark, Monti and me. We saw first hand how HaShem not only restored, but gave our family so much more. The family is also in the egg business. It is a nice way to bring in income as things get better. And when you have had fresh, farm fresh eggs, you will settle for nothing less. Yes, these are Reel eggs. Yes, they are coloured eggs, one a slight pink, the other, light blue. Mark and I talked about it. We are thinking about raising chickens when we get settled in Montana. Though I will have a lot to learn. But there is no great hurry in deciding what to do we get to Montana. Right now, I am just enjoying the journey. Until next time.
Shalom: West Union, Ohio. Amish Land. While I have always admitted the Amish people; they faith, they values. I even have a devotional I love entitled Amish Peace. But I never realise that a huge part of our healing would be found in the heart of Amish country. Mark's brother and family live in the heart of Amish country. In fact, their home, owned by an Amish family is being rented to our family. Not only is it huge, but lovely and the craftsmanship is amazing. It is here, with our family that our healing began. As I said in another entry, Todd and his family welcomed us with open arms and hearts. Even down to the bedroom they created for us; the feel of a jewish honeymoon suite, with sweet little touches. I met the children eight years ago, just before the wedding. They were so young and I was afraid they wouldn't remember me. But they did! To hear my two nephews and one niece call me "Aunt Laini!"meant the world to both Mark and I. And of course everyone fell in love with Monti. We had planned only to stay a day or two. But thanks to celebrating Passover and then an incoming snow storm, we were there five. If we weren't committed to moving to Montana, West Union could have easily become home. More next time.
Shalom: The next day, after a light breakfast and a quick rearrangement of our luggage, we were off again. This time, heading for West Union, Ohio, the home of Mark's brother Todd and family. We stopped in West Virginia for lunch. The weather here was must colder, so Montaque got to wear his new packer. Knowing that the weather would still be chilly in Montana, we brought the furry baby a new coat.
Turns out he needed it now. I had just gotten a copy of the Chronicles of Narnia on DVD. It is the radio program Focus on The Family had produced years ago. So this is what we chose to listen to as we travelled. Listening to the Narnia series kept us both awake as well as something to talk about.
It was a long trip and I was thankful for packing bottles of water, fruit and nuts, as well as doggie treats for Montaque. Our little guy prove to be a very good traveller. How he love to step upon my lap and look out the window. At other times, he would crawl into his bed in the back seat and sleep. That afternoon, we received a call from Todd. He had asked if we could hold a Passover Seder for the family. It would be good for the children since they had never been to one. Mark and I were delighted. Since we were travelling, we had made no plans for Passover, thinking we would have to wait until next month to do so. And now here was an golden chance to not only keep the Feast, but to share with family. Reaching Ohio, we entered into a snow storm, even hit a patch of black ice and spin out. Everyone was fine. Montaque was thrown from his bed, laying on my jacket and went back to sleep. We made it in safe. Mark called Todd to let him know where we were. Todd told us how to get to the nearby MacDonald's, where he would meet us and drive us the rest of the way. It was dark and late, but no matter. Within thirty minutes, we were with family, being embraced by nephews and a niece that I feared would not remember me, but did. We were embraced in the arms and warmth of family. What an amazing feeling.
It has been six and a half months since the passing of my best friend and big brother David Walton. It has been hard for me to really share about those last several weeks until now. And frankly, it is still hard. This all began the summer of 2010. David had gotten quite sick and ended up in hospital. Mark was just home from his last deployment when I received the message David was in a coma and if I wanted to see him before he died, I needed to get to hospital. That was a Friday afternoon and all Shabbath plans went flying out the window. But David didn't die. He recovered and gave to live with us the rest of that summer until the beginning of autumn. Because he was doing so much better, David went back to live at his old apartment. Mark and I had prayed that David would give the apartment up and move in with one of his family members. He really needed to be with friends or family and we just couldn't afford to take care of him. Plus our apartment was so small. But it was not to be. David chose to stay here in Virginia. His doctor suggested he apply for Social Security, since he wasn't healthily enough to continue working, but he didn't want to leave his job at the Comic Book store, a job he loved. So his health went from bad to worse. I had my hands filled dealing with Mark, for he was in a bad way with the PTSD at the time. We would see David from time to time, we both becoming alarm by David increasing poor health. But there was just so much we could do. Mark didn't have a job, we had little money. We couldn't take care of ourselves, let alone David, as much as we wanted to. In January of last year, after returning home from an military event, we learn David was back in hospital. We knew this was it. He faced so many battles; his heart and kidneys, one inflection after another. Once stable, the hospital would move his to assistance living. Once stable and against doctor's orders, the social workers at the assistance living told David, because he had no insurance, he to leave. That was the end of May. Three weeks later, he was back in hospital, battling high pressure and again, yet another infection. In August, our phone was turned off and we lost contact once again. We knew he was being moved to a nursing home and was planning to see him when I got word he was taken to DePaul Hospital. Here, I knew he would not only receive good care, but not get kicked out. Mark was in school at this time, but we still made it to see him. That Thursday morning, I received a call from his doctor, saying that they had done all they could do and were just keeping himecomfortable. David knew he was dying. That same evening, he squeezed my hand and told me he loved. He then looked up and told Mark to take care of me. I cried myself to sleep that night. The next morning, I found our phone was out of minutes and when Mark got home, he hurried to the store. It was Shabbath. Montague and I were standing outside. I looked into the sunset, feeling a peace I hadn't felt in a year. I watched as a sudden breeze came up, playing with Monti's ear, reminding me of how David loved to play with Monti's eyes. It was then I felt something soft brush against my cheek and somehow I knew it was David. Mark arrived home with more minutes for the phone and we went to bed. The next morning, I called the ICU and was told that the doctors tried to reach me; that David had passed away the night before. When I asked what time and was told 10pm, I smiled through my tears. That is the time Monti and I were standing outside. He had stopped to say goodbye and I love you.
When I saw this picture, it made me smile, because Shabbat is a weekly Thanksgiving meal. We give thanks that we reach the end of the work week; we are thankful for home and family and the blessings we enjoy. We give thanks for the Torah and for the Creator Who has given us all we enjoy.. Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is a National Holiday where the nation stops to give thanks. But each Friday evening, Jews around the world do the same thing. Thanksgiving and Shabbat share the same message; in this busy, crazy world, we need to take a break from it all. And for twenty-four hours, just slow down. Breath. Enjoy good food and friends. Enjoy family and Torah. Shut out the world and just be. Both days remind us to remember all our blessings come from. I remember 13 years ago, I remember spending Thanksgiving at Sentara Norfolk Hospital. My mother had three strokes in three week time and I had to feed mother her turkey dinner. I remember the doctor telling me not to expect her to survive. 13 years later, yesterday, mummie sat our dinner table, holding Monti as she fed him turkey. I remember eight years ago this month, we received the news Mark had cancer and we entered into the fight of our lives. Eight years later, yesterday, my beloved who is cancer free, helped me clean up the kitchen from the meal we prepared for my mother. Tonight, our shabbat meal will be simple, but for the next twenty-four hours we will shut out the world and enjoy each other, our little dog, Torah and the Presence of our Creator Shabbat Shalom.
Yesterday, we had the joy of welcoming my mother to our home for the very first time. Here is little guy, enjoying being held by his grandmother. Mummie and Monti watched Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory while Mark and I finished supper.
Mummie even got to meet Peanut. Yes, it was love at first sight.
Our supper was a simple fair; collard greens, home-made cranberry sauce (Mark made that) and of course, turkey and stuffing. However, the turkey roasted rather quicker than I thought, so I had to prepare the stuffing on the stove. But it came out even better; it didn't dry out. This year, I tried to add apple bits to the stuffing; that Williamsburg touch. Everyone loved it.
Mummie brought the sparkling cider and the hot sauce. Mummie likes a bit of hot sauce on her food. Monti and Peanut weren't left out; Peanut was getting her share of turkey from me, while Mummie and Mark shared the duty of feeding Monti. Afterwards, as tradition, we played a game of Scramble..
Monti giving me some much needed help. It was a very good afternoon. We talked and laughed, remembered times when Eileen and I were children and laughed over many of our misdeeds. Giving thanks for the many blessings we have; including our new home, Mark's new job and for our family who survived the blow of Hurricane Sandy when she hit New York. The next time we knew, the sun was doing down and it was time for mummie return home. Next time, we plan for her to stay with us a few days.
This is our new home, the living room. And of course, Monti enjoying his afternoon nap.
We placed the Ark in the living room, because there really no other place to put it and I really didn't like the idea if being in store-age.
The fireplace. We are looking forward to getting it clean and using it this year. Since the fireplace is in the living room, really the centerpiece, I am looking forward to greeting friends and family with a warm welcome.
And this is Chris, who opened his home to us and little buddy Jose. More about Jose later. While we are room-mates, the house feels more like a family. Mark, Monti and me with brother Chris. I sit back in amazement in what G-d has done. A new home. A new friend. A new beginning.
Lailia Tov: As you can see from the above, this is the aftermath of the Nor'Easter that blew through a few weeks ago.
I actually took a picture of this tree a few days before the storm. This tree, like some many here in Ghent, was over one hundred years old. This tree, along with another at the corner, blocked off the street. That's its root in the picture above. We are still cleaning up. If you read the last entry, you knew I had a mini crisis during this time. A time of tears and fighting fear. Crying out to G-d and wondering if He heard me or even cared. There are many who would question my "lack of faith" or my "failing to trust G-d." But I am reminded of the Song Book, Psalms. There are hundreds of songs and prayers crying out to G-d such as I did and in the end, G-d meets them, just as He met me. As I laid in my bed Thrusday night, I realize what I was going through was pure hell. This is what Hell is like; cut-off from everyone, from light and life, sound and touch. Even the face of G-d. A place I do not wish ever to go. But the next evening, as I crawled into the warm, sweet smelling bed in the guest bedroom of mum and dad, this is heaven. It is light and life, surrounded by people who love you. And it is warm! Since Dad allowed me to use his computer, I was leave a message for Mark that I was home with his folks. I was so tired that the first time he called my cell-phone, I slept through the first ring and by the time I realize the phone was ringing the second time, he'd rung off when I answered. But he finally got through and was relieved to know I was safe and with his parnets. I stayed with mum and dad until Monday. By then, the lights were back on and the heat was on by that evening. I had gone to church with them that Sunday. It was good to see old friends. I truly loved being with mum and dad. They showered me with love and I truly felt I was home and welcomed. I confessed to both mama Jordan and mum Reel my meltdown that thrusday night, friday morning. Both lovingly assured me that given the circumstances, they could see how one could react as I did and it wasn't a lack of faith. It was a holding onto what I knew to get me through. Lessons learned? Keep a flashlight in the house (Mark took our with him) Keep plenty of C batteries. Keep my over night bag packed. Stock up on Wine Coolers.
