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November 10, 2007
Moments Like This
Karen and I are with family here in New Jersey.
Last night, during Shabbos dinner, as conversation and laughter flowed, as my girlses, Offspring #2 and Offspring #3, jumped up and down—like a scene from an Offenbach opera—serving dinner, as Karen's mother queried my son-in-law about his recipe for baked gefilte fish, as the light of the Shabbos candles spread a soft pool of light over the room, I thought to myself:
Who cares that I'm on strike?
Who cares that Apple stock has just lost over 5% of its value?
Who cares that the price of gas is close to $100 a barrel?
Yes, I looked at Karen the woman I've been in love with since I've been 10 years-old, and I looked at my smart and beautiful girlses, my son-in-law and mother-in-law, and I understood with perfect clarity that the best in life revolves around moments like this.
I was happy. I was content.
And yes, I wished, oh how I wished that our son Ariel ZT'L was here to share these moments.
Karen and I wish all our friends a Shavua Tov.
And Happy Birthday, Marines! Semper Fi. Thank you for all your service to our country.
And on this day let's not forget Project Valor-IT Veteran's Day Fundraiser, to provide voice-activated lap-top computers to injured and disabled veterans. Please donate generously. This is a very important tzedakah, charity.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at November 10, 2007 04:25 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Wonderful post, Robert. I am looking forward to seeing my two oldest at Thanksgiving. There will be many hugs and smiles then.
This site, sponsored by Xerox, lets you send a thank-you card to the troops: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html
The responses of the soldiers to the cards are heartwarming.
Posted by: Dr. Carol at November 10, 2007 07:48 PM
Dear Robert,
Indeed! To your sentiments, as always ... can we get an "Amen!"?
Alan
Posted by: alan d. busch at November 11, 2007 03:57 AM
I'm 100 percent with you that happy family time is the most precious of gifts. May you and Karen enjoy many, many more moments like this over the course of a long and healthy life.
And Apple may be down by more than 5%, but... how much has it gone up since you purchased it?
Posted by: Sara at November 11, 2007 07:59 AM
Dr. Carol:
Thanks so much for the great link. We look forward to Thanksgiving for you and your family. Thanksgiving is a very special time at Casa Avrech for our family.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 11, 2007 08:45 AM
Alan:
Amen! And thanks.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at November 11, 2007 08:46 AM
Sara:
Thanks so much for your support.
As for Apple, I bought a majority of our holdings when the stock was trading at $12, $13 a share, bought more at $50, and even more at $120. So yeah, we've made a few bucks.
Not complaining.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at November 11, 2007 08:52 AM
I'm thinking back to when I first started reading this blog, and I'm soooooo happy that you are at a place in your life -- in the mourning process -- where you can write the words "I am happy. I am content." Even though your next thought is of Ariel z'l and how much you miss him, what you wrote here might be a small comfort for those parents who have recently lost a child (chas v'shalom) and are wondering whether they can ever feel happiness or contentment again. I'm really glad to see that it IS possible and that you have come so far. I'm sure that in some way Ariel was indeed sharing the glow of the candles with you.
Posted by: Sarah at November 11, 2007 09:54 AM
for the record:
Jacques Offenbach:
real name: Yaakov Offenbach
one more "crossover" figure between Jewish music and popular music
Posted by: Real Name at November 11, 2007 10:52 AM
Sarah:
Thanks so much for your comment and for reading this blog for so many years.
Yes, it is possible for a grieving parent to experience joy and contentment. In fact, we owe it to our children. For to remain in a state of permanent grief would be a terrible sin against them and against life itself.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at November 11, 2007 08:50 PM
Real Name:
You know what, from now on everybody is Jewish until proven otherwise!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at November 11, 2007 08:52 PM