Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
History is Here Friday Round-Up
When you are not Jewish, but you are married to a Jewish man, history has a way of sitting in the kitchen while dinner is being made. History is on the mantel over our fireplace, the photo of my husband’s grandfather and uncle who walked out of Ukraine to Palestine, and the one of his grandmother as a very young woman leaning on the front door of a store in Philadelphia. She came to America alone when she was twelve. Not much about what is going on is abstract here.
I have a writing friend who, the first time I met him, read aloud an essay he’d written about being a young man in Israel. He is an old man now, which I don’t think he would mind me saying, but when I see him, I remember his stories of Israel, how it was, how being there made him feel. I’ve thought of him a lot this week, but I haven’t asked him how he is feeling. Not because I know but because it seems too thin a question.
When my friend, Jeanne Lowry, died, Street Angels decided to give an award every year in her name. This year’s award went to a local pastor, Max Ramsey, who, for twenty-two years, has organized a caravan of volunteers to go out twice a week to bring meals and friendship to people living outside. We surprised him as he and his team were forming up for Wednesday night’s outreach. It was a joyous event. And I was glad to be there. My friend would have been proud.
I had laser surgery on my left eye this afternoon which I told the doctor felt like being the target in a video game. He said in response that as a person who plays a lot of video games, he agreed. He looks to be nineteen. He has curly hair, wears an old sweater and corduroy pants and loafers with no socks. He is also ridiculously gentle. He washed my eye out afterward, cupping by head as if I were a baby having a bath in the sink. My vision is nearly perfect at the moment, thanks to his aim.
My second cochlear surgery is Monday. It seems more serious this time, maybe because I am older. Maybe because they gave me two packages of antiseptic wipes to use the night before and the morning of the surgery. I also must sleep on clean sheets in clean pajamas and put on clean clothes in the morning. There have also been repeated requests for my power of attorney for health care which I have, sitting right here on my desk. My husband has also asked how to pay bills online, you know, just in case.
19 Comments on “History is Here Friday Round-Up”
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Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
I hope all goes well with your surgery, Jan.
Thank you, Becky
Re your friend who you aren’t sure how to approach about the violence and murders this week–as a Jew (and moreover a Jewish mother) I can tell you that there is no question that is too thin. Just tell your friend you are thinking of him and ask how he’s doing. He will appreciate it. The world feels very scary right now.
Well wishes on your cochlear implant. Tom
Thanks, Tom
This is beautiful and timely, Jan. Thanks
Good luck with your surgery, Jan <3
Thanks, Ruth!
Good luck Jan ❤️
Thank you!
Best wishes Jan. All will be well.
Thanks, Deb
They didn’t ask any of that for Garry. There was after surgery care but it was manageable. The biggest post-surgery issue for Garry was recovering from the anesthesia which took a lot longer this time than last — and being almost entirely unable to hear for the month following surgery. It was really hard for him and he got depressed — something he has never done in our life together. He was so afraid the surgery would fail and at the end he’d be unable to hear, but it went fine and he really can HEAR. It is worth it.
“It is worth it.” is what I needed to hear. 🙂
fingers crossed for a postive outcome
Yes, Jan… Just in case … I’m sending light, love, and some laughter, of course – to stave off the just in case. Go well!
Thank you!
Wishing you a perfect outcome with your surgery on Monday. I find I don’t feel as confident going into surgery as I used to. There is something about this aging process.
So true. I keep finding out. 🙂