Thirteen months after arriving in the States, I received the
daas Torah advice to return home! As the plane was
approaching the Holy Land my heart started racing. I began to
cry. I'm really coming home, I kept saying to myself.
The sun was shining brightly. It was a long trip, twenty-
eight hours from the time I left my son's home to when I was
driven away from Ben Gurion Airport. I was exhausted, but I
think my smile was every bit as bright as the sunshine, as my
feet touched the ground.
I was greeted by a dear friend. Our first stop was to the
Kosel where I cried my heart out to Hashem in gratitude for
letting me come back, and requested His help for the
future.
I never experienced jet lag! Perhaps it was because my joy
was so intense.
I rented a street-level apartment that my friend found for me
a few minutes walk away from her apartment, in Ramat Shlomo.
It is on the very top street of this mountain, and has a
breathtaking, panoramic view of Jerusalem. My live-in care-
giver and I both enjoy our frequent walks and the delightful
breezes.
I especially enjoy seeing the magnificent, ever-changing look
of the sunsets Hashem gives us. I have no words to describe
how beautiful they are. The sharp and subtle changes in
colors, and their shapes as they enter, and then slowly fade
from view, are truly breathtaking.
I have discovered, on these delightful excursions in the
neighborhood, the seemingly endless variety, and yes, beauty
of weeds! They grow everywhere, and each kind represents
Hashem's artistry in shape, color, fragrance, and size. When
the breeze stirs them it is like watching dancers moving and
swaying, sometimes gently, sometimes forcefully.
Furnishing my apartment, from scratch, especially while
confined to a wheelchair, was quite an undertaking. In fact,
it was almost overwhelming. But, Boruch Hashem, it got
done. I have learned that one receives merit for setting up a
home in Eretz Yisroel. I hope I will receive this merit
twice!
I spent Rosh Hashonoh and Shabbos in my old neighborhood,
Neve Yaacov. The warmth and affection with which my friends
and former neighbors, and myself, greeted each other, was
absolutely wonderful!
How can I adequately express how grateful I am to You for all
Your blessings? They are more numerous than I can even
imagine or be aware of. You provide this world with such
great beauty and variety in the nature around us, in the food
You give us, and the uniqueness of each human being with whom
we share this planet. Most important, You give me continuing
opportunities to grow closer to You.
I am feeling much better than I did when I arrived. I
attribute this, partially, to my being so happy to be back,
but mainly to Your loving kindness in allowing me to feel
this way. I try to treat every day as a special gift, and not
take life for granted. Every day is filled with the joy of
living, loving You, and learning Your Torah, with study
partners, in study groups, and by myself, so I can continue
trying to "walk in Your ways." Boruch Hashem, my
condition has been stable for more than a year. My doctor in
Boston made it very clear that there is no way of knowing how
long it will remain so. In 2003, when my son asked her how
long she thought I had, she told him, "Maybe a year."
Shavuos, 2005, was celebrated just a week ago. I have been
back in Jerusalem almost an entire year. Although I am no
longer in as stable a condition, my heart overflows with
thanks and gratitude for the countless gifts You have given
me. I am working hard on loving You, not 25 or 50 or 75, but
100% of the time, and not with a little or a lot of me, but
as when saying the Shema,
WITH ALL OF ME!
