Other than my feeling that visiting Israel is what we should all be doing whenever we have a chance, I have been very reluctant to go anywhere else in the past three years. I guess that one could say I have become a real homebody. Lately my daughter Malkie, living in the tundra (Rochester, New York), where day after day there have been piles of snow coming down, has suggested to me quite frequently that she and I take off a few days and go somewhere warm.
First I have to say how fortunate I am that I have children who still enjoy spending time with me. We can actually admit that we have fun together and have many common interests, although her need for power walks in the a.m. has escaped me completely.
After much procrastinating on my part I agreed to go with her to Miami for five days. Truthfully, once we were going I suggested Panama since I am curious to see what all the hype is about and those tons of restaurants do make my palate salivate, but she was not interested. Therefore Miami it was. We were fortunate that other than the first day we enjoyed nothing but fantastic weather. It should be noted that the week we escaped was also the week that the temperatures here rose to above freezing, but so what? Teaneck/Bergenfield wasn’t 80 degrees, no jackets, no boots, sun beating down upon us. There it was what one could call a “mechaya.” I began to understand why so many go away for the entire winter and the attraction of rest and relaxation on a full-time basis. I have never had that experience in my life. I do remember the first time my Mordechai and I went to Florida in the winter during his break from teaching at university and I kept asking him if it was possible that it was me swimming in warm weather in the month of January. I could not believe it!
It was the school break for many of the Canadian day schools, so there I was surrounded in our hotel by the French language, as many Sephardi families from Cote St Luc, where I hail from, dominated the hotel lobby. In my own little mind I still find it unfathomable how families with five children are able to travel to a hotel, dine out each day, go shopping, return to their lives and tuitions, etc. Even more beautiful is that so many of them are big baalei tzedakah.
For some reason it is Malkie who remembers the most occasions spent by our family, memories of the members of our original shul in Montreal, and gets as excited as I when we recount some of these stories. I was walking by a group of families sitting near the pool area and knew from their mannerisms and language where they were from. When I stopped to speak with one of them she immediately got very excited when she exclaimed that Rabbi Glick was her rabbi on her “March of the Living” experience. “Where is he, where is he?” she exclaimed. Of course I explained that he had passed away.
Nothing at all compared to the time alone that I had with my daughter. Best friends, understanding each other, sharing stories about her grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, discussing honest concerns we might have about those who have large families and how they can manage. Let’s not forget that Malkie is the mother of seven and has always managed terrifically. I no longer have a confidante to express my innermost feelings, longings and concerns and it was a special bracha to know that we could talk about anything on either side without judgment. How many can say that about their relationships with their children?
We stayed in the Surfside area and intentionally decided that there was no reason to rent a car as tons of restaurants were mere blocks away from our hotel. There were choices galore, with many more options that can be found locally. Imagine that at night one would have to push their way through the streets of Harding Boulevard where the restaurants are and if a reservation is not made, forget getting in.
For those who wondered why I had not written in he Link last week, I guiltily decided that my boss would allow me to take the week off! When I mentioned that the trip ended on a high, it actually had nothing to do with our wonderful sojourn together. It was an experience on the plane that brought a great smile to my face and brought back beautiful memories. My flight was full and although I usually take an aisle seat, at the time that I booked it would have to be either a middle or a window. Obviously the window it was. Just a few minutes before everyone was seated a young woman came to sit next to me and at the same time I noticed a young man sit down in a middle seat on the other side one row in front. I did not make the connection that they were together.
About five minutes after she got settled in her seat she was fiddling with her phone and then turned to me and said that her husband, who was sitting in another row, had messaged that he missed her. She was so happy that she had to share it with someone, I guess, and the man to her right definitely did not look like he was interested. I was so happy for her and daydreamed about those days when I would get similar messages, looks and caring notes. I hope that everyone can learn a lesson from this young woman and her hubby. They had spent a few days away on a belated honeymoon and his message to her was so meaningful. Suggestion to anyone who is reading this: You do not have to be on a honeymoon to send such a message. When leaving for the office, as soon as you get into your car, bus or train send such a message. On your way home? How about “Can’t wait to see you”? Don’t let kids and the busyness of life get in the way of warmth and closeness. You will not regret it and if it does not work, call me! I can give you other suggestions.
