We're all jetting out this morning to Miami for a few days to join in the family celebration of one of my closest friends; my brother Yossi and his hot hipster bride Tal! We'll be meeting up with the rest of the clan at my family's condo in Aventura and celebrating the new couple together until Sunday!! I quite literally can't wait!! Here's to simchas!
And to lovers! :)
Talk of hurricane devastation can be heard at most every coffee shop, office water-cooler-conversation, and definitely each refreshed Facebook feed. And while relief funds are vital and imperative (please click here to help!), sometimes it's wondrous to stop and see what kind of human kindness and interdependency comes about through stormy destruction.I glimpsed this image, and immediately and unexpectedly teared up. Sometimes it's not the greif that shakes us most; but the love that wakes in the wake of disaster.
So, here's to the beautiful people of New York City! Sending you many warm wishes - stay forever dry, warm, and powerful!!
P.S. I recently read an article about children and storms, and how they don't wind up with memories of catastrophe, but rather memories of adventure and excitement. I found that to be personally true, and a lovely sentiment for parents struggling through the aftermath to think about...
Sometimes, especially in the early morning hours, my gratitude really takes me over, and I get overwhelmed from all the goodness that family brings... I'm so happy that each of my daughters have a sister. To me, sisters are like having a part of my childhood that can never be lost. Never. It's there - just in the fact that we grew up together: rollerskating, scheming, laughing into our pillows after dark, borrowing, bickering... Just having them, is having that. We share our thoughts, fears, and dreams with each other. We share the fights we have with our husbands, our worries about our children, our musings about our mother. We share everything important, and yet - we're children when we get together...laughing into our pillows after dark. Sisters are truly a gift, and I'm thrilled to watch the bond between my girls grow and grow.
It recently dawned on me how, incredibly, pregnancy made me feel like I was constantly with someone for 9 whole months! When I go out alone now (without baby, Freida, of Manasseh) I feel this insane sense of loneliness and keep placing my hand on me belly - trying to feel some kicking action! It's the weirdest thing!! Aside from that, I'm so glad to be back to normal... and while I let my fingers linger on my empty belly a little longer than normal, I really am overjoyed about feeling like my own self again and knowing that I can now get back in physical shape.
Sariti, a party-planning friend of mine was inspired a while ago by my balloon post and the Geronimo concept in particular, and did a Bat Mitzvah that was totally tricked out with gigantic balloons! After the party she called me to let me know how depressing it was to let all these beautiful balloons go to waste... so I headed over there for a little impromptu afternoon photo shoot - just for fun!
She was in utter awe at this balloon wonderland, and I just let her walk around the room and explore while I snapped some candid shots...
Thanks for the fun photo op Sariti!! :)
