Pursuit for Equality in a Democracy

For eight months, you have made me smile.     For eight months, you have made me laugh.   For eight months, you have awoken my heart.    With your warm embrace and soft kisses.      You have taught me.   What true love means.   A love.   That I never thought possible.      Every day I feel blessed.   Because you are in my life.   And I get to spend my life.   Loving you.   Forevermore.  

  Sunday morning comes.   And we lie in bed.   Hugging, talking, and laughing.   In between, I kiss your neck.   My heart pours out.   All my feelings for you.    “I have never been so in love!”   Is what I whisper in your ear.      After an hour.   I must have told you a “million” times.   “How beautiful you are.”   And “How much I love you.”    I worry that you’ll tire of me saying it.   However, you say, “no.”   Which puts my nerves at ease.      We finally get up.   Eat breakfast and food shop.    As afternoon comes.   You kindly console me.   As the Jets lose another game.     But the clock ticks and ticks.   It’s coming to that dreaded hour. When it’s time for us to part.   You must get ready.   For your work week.    And I must pick Evan up.    Ugh!!!     My love for you grows and grows. ...

I’m frustrated!   I don’t understand!   I don’t understand how she feels.   On a night when my love tells me.   “I have nothing to give.   I’m at zero”     Tired from the week she’s had.     The stress of thirty years of teaching.   Has built to a boiling point.   The politics, the kids, her co-workers.   Coming home to bills and pets,   A dirty house.   And no matter how many times she cleans it.   To her, it still feels like it’s dirty.    Plus, she is raising a talented.   But forgetful high school senior to boot.        Raising a child, caring for pets, and keeping up a home.   Is quite much.   Especially, when you are the lone adult in the house.   This I fully understand and can commiserate.     But I’ve never been a teacher.    So, it’s hard for me to relate. I’m just excited to see my fiancée.   After being apart all week...

The moment I saw your smile. As you walked towards me.   While I stood in front of the Cheesecake Factory.   With flowers in my hands.   I knew you were different.    I knew you were the one.   The one for me.    You make me feel relaxed.   That I can let my guard down.    And be me.     A few weeks later.    We went and watched the sunset at the beach.    Looking up at the stars.   And then into your blue eyes.    We kissed.   And that kiss was like a blanket.   That warmed my lonely heart.    I knew then that I loved you.    A love that has only grown and grown.     Not only have you shown me what true love feels like.    You have opened your kind and caring heart to my children.   And grandchildren.    Laurie, I love you like I have never loved another.   We laugh together, we cry together, and our love has grown tog...

  The rain batters the window in my hotel room.     The wind is howling through the night.    I have only been gone a day.    But it feels like forever.   Since we were lying in bed.   Staring into each other’s eyes.      My heart is breaking.   As I see my beloved sister.   Struggle with her emotions.   The stresses of a decade.   Weighs on her shoulders.    Knowing there is little I can do.    Living a thousand miles away.      I remain steady and supportive.   Even though I am trembling inside.    My mother is frail.    A year and a half of chemo and radiation.   Will do that to a person.   Fighting a battle.   Which will never be won.      It’s time to stop the poison.   And let Adonai give Mom the strength.  To find peace.    And to bask in the love and comfort.   Of family and friends....

It is Sunday evening.    Erev Yom Kippur in the year 5787.   2026 in the secular calendar.   Back from Kol Nidre services.   Reminded how special this night is.    The sorrow notes from the cello filled the sanctuary.   The operettic voice of the Cantor and choir.    Pulled at my mind and heart strings.      Acknowledging that I am not perfect.   Nor have always acted in the best way.   As much as I have tried to live a righteous life.   In these trying times.   Of hate and antisemitism.      Striving every day.   To be a loving partner, father, and grandfather.   A good friend and a good person.    I constantly think about the decades away from synagogue.    Am I doing enough to live a life Adonai would want me to live?     Avinu Malkeinu!   The Hebrew words from that beautiful prayer.   Are sung from my heart.    Like a breath ...