Month: September 2013

These bruises

On By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

re·flec·tion

noun \ri-ˈflek-shən\

an image that is seen in a mirror or on a shiny surface
something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else

something that causes people to disapprove of a person or thing
mental concentration; careful consideration.
thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.
 
Over the past few weeks we have been celebrating the Jewish New Year and then Yom Kippur – the day of Atonment. For Rosh Hashana we are eating apples and honey, honey cake, raisin challah and all things that are delicious and sweet to celebrate the new year. Then a short week later, we are fasting and asking for forgiveness for our sins that we have committed over the past year and allowing us to be sealed in the book of life for the coming year. 

It is a time for reflection. How we look at ourselves, at others and maybe what we would have done differently if we could have. Maybe there was someone I should have called before Yom Kippur and asked for forgiveness and made mends. Or maybe there was someone you were waiting for the call from, and you didn’t get it. 

Several months ago I was watching the show The Talk while they were on location in New Orleans. I taped the episodes, because I loved New Orleans, but also because the house band for the week was Train. Pat Monahan sang a song acoustically that really moved me. The song is called Bruises. The radio/album version features an artist named Ashley Monroe and it is just one of those songs that has hidden meaning, at least to me. 
The chorus is about “these bruises” which are really (from my interpretation) our lives. That everything that happens to us has an everlasting effect on our lives, whether we can see them (bruises) or not. Time and space doesn’t take away the bruises.
“These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It’s good to let you in again
You’re not alone in how you’ve been
Everybody loses, we all got bruises
We all got bruises”
 
This past weekend I had the chance to spend the afternoon with an old friend. And when I say old friend, I really do mean that in the truest sense of the word – we know each other almost 35 years. We don’t get the chance to spend as much time as we would like (who does?) but when we do, we make it count. Our lives are very different and we have travelled down many different paths, and have our own ‘bruises’ to show for our lives, but when we are together, it is fun, happy, enjoyable. Her outlook on life is something more people need to have in their own. I guess I am telling this story because how everyone handles their “bruises” makes you who you are and how you are around others. 
So, there is always more to say, but I think I will end with the video of the song. Not all the words will apply to everyone, but if you listen to the words, maybe you will hear the message I heard and take it for that. 
Have a great day everyone,
Me

Yizkor – Memorial service

On By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I realize that not everyone that reads my blog may know what the Yizkor service is or consists of.

Yizkor are a series of additional prayers in remembrance of loved ones that are said four times a year during significant holidays that are celebrated. Our Synagouge has produced a supplementary booklet with the prayers, and some poetry and words of comfort. There was also an opportunity for fundraising as well, you could pay to have a remembrance message put into the book for the coming year.

The prayers are for the loss of a parent, husband, wife, child or other relative. I remember when I was much younger at our old shule Adath Shalom that when Yizcor was about to be said, all the children would leave the sanctuary since we (thankfully) had not experience the losses that the ‘grown ups’ were saying prayers for.

It was a time to go downstairs to the childcare area, visit with friends there or outside, and socialize. It was a nice break from the prayers and reading, and standing up and down. I will always remember those times. It is funny, because I still see some of those same ‘kids’ today, either at shule, or out socially or on facebook. Now those kids have kids, and we are adults.

Being an adult also means that it comes along with the fact that now some of those prayers are relevant to our lives. I have lost grandparents, and even friends. So, the prayer for relatives and ‘others’ now would apply to me. For many years I have stayed in for the service, and read the prayers that were meant for me.

The book this year included a new prayer. A beautiful new prayer that I had not seen before. It is a prayer for those living with parents. I was sitting beside my mother and she turned the page she pointed it out to me as well. It is a really beautiful prayer and I would like to share it with you now.

Heavenly Father, at this sacred moment when we remember those who have died, I turn to you, O G-d, with profound gratitude that my parents are still with me today. Bless them, I pray, with physical health and spiritual fulfillment and grant them the strength to be with me for many years ahead, the privilege to enjoy the success of their children and blessings of family and home. Grant me the resources to provide for them if they are ever in need and give me the ability to fulfill every aspect of the commandment of filial responsibility. May it be Your will that I come to fully appreciate my duties as a caring child and give me the wherewithal to fulfill those duties with love, with joy, and in happiness. May I remain a source of pride and joy to my parents and my family. Bless all the members of my family with good health, long life, with light and with love. In reverence I turn to You, hopeful to serve You wholeheartedly. 

I love you Mom and Dad.

Amen

A full circle Yom Kippur

On By thestampsinmypassportIn bone marrow, Mark Spiegle, one match, robin robertsLeave a comment

About a month ago, I read a post on a friend’s facebook profile posting about someone he knows who is in need of a stem cell transplant to survive. There were some questions going back and forth about it, and I chimed in and commented on what I knew about it. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, because all I was doing was offering knowledge that I had from my past experiences.

It has been almost four years exactly since Shari found out that she needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Four years since I began to learn about bone marrow donation, stem cell transplants and so much more. 

The man who’s life needs saving is Dr. Mark Spiegle. If you read the hyperlink you can read about Mark’s story. He has battled cancer before and now has been diagnosed again with mylodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If this sounds familiar it is because this is the same blood cancer that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America had last year. She was able to have a stem cell transplant from her sister Sally. Mark isn’t so lucky. He needs to find a match to save his life.

This is where you all come in once again. One Match, which is part of blood services has changed the age requirements for Canadians to be swabbed and added to the bone marrow registry. If you are healthy and between 17 to 35 years of age – WE NEED YOU! 

Right now there are two bone marrow swabbing events booked and confirmed. There will be more to come but here is where will be:

Sunday September 29th – from 10am – 4pm
Holy Blossom Temple – 1950 Bathurst Street (south of Eglinton)

We do want to target the TARGET group so we will be having a drive at the University of Toronto on:
Tuesday October 1st – from 11am – 5pm
If you are a student at Uof T, if you have a child at UofT, or know anyone in the target range that will be downtown on October 1st – WE  NEED YOU!

A facebook page has been created as well – please join, share on your wall and let’s get the word out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1414379965450813/

As we approach the eve of Yom Kippur and our time of reflection and introspection, we should understand that we can all make a difference. If you are over the age range for one match, and you want to volunteer, you can send an email to swabformark@gmail.com and if you have any questions you can call 416-951-3873 for more information.

If I can ask one thing of you all who are reading this, please share this post on your facebook wall, or your twitter feed. You are not just helping Mark hopefully find his match, but there are over 900 Canadians that are waiting for their perfect match.

Have an easy and meaningful fast if you are doing so.

Lisa

myelodysplastic syndrome
myelodysplastic syndrome

myelodysplastic syndrome