It really is a Happy Chanukah -- first time since 2009

This year Chanukah is truly a happy one for me. I have not had a Happy Chanukah since before December 2009.

December 2009 was my first Chanukah alone.  I remember returning home after work on the first night of Chanukah.  I had set up my Chanukiah the night before and had planned to light the candles and sing Maoz Tzur when I came home from work.  Well, I got home, and I attempted to do so.  But I couldn't. I could not bring myself to light the candles alone, and to sing the songs.  I just was SO SO SO lonely.  I had no children with me, no family with me, no friends with me and I was just SO alone.  I think I curled up on the sofa and cried.

I did manage to celebrate Chanukah in 2010, more or less -- I was able to be with my brother and his family for some of it, in Baltimore.  I was busy -- with work, and a bit of a social life.  I was also very much in the mode of accepting my new reality and creating a new reality by planning for my aliyah.  It was still not a particularly HAPPY Chanukah yet, for me, but I was trying.

This year, 2011, I can say that it is a Happy Chanukah.  I am busy. I have my family close to me. I am not alone. I am not lonely.  I have many many good friends.  I have two grandsons who are absolutely precious.  My youngest grandson just came home from the hospital, recovered from his bout of viral meningitis, B"H.

We gave a present to Gavriel and it was SUCH a pleasure to watch him open it and delight in playing with it.  I lit candles with my family, and we sang together.  I am meeting many new people, and having a nice life.

Thank you, G-d!

Happy Chanukah to all my family and friends. I love you all...

I hate being single

I HATE BEING SINGLE. ESPECIALLY ON SHABBAT AND CHAGIM.

I HATE GOING TO OTHER PEOPLES HOMES AND BEING AN OBJECT OF PITY.

AND I HATE THAT NO ONE EVER BOTHERS TO FIX ME UP WITH ANYONE.

Taking pleasure in small things

Today I had a very pleasurable day!

Today I returned to Tel Aviv, to deal with getting my hearing aid fixed.  I also went to a place there for a mammogram.  First I went to the Medton corporate offices on Ben Yehuda.  I asked to speak with Shay -- CEO of Medton. He was not available for an hour and a half. I had to then explain to the receptionist that I could not wait that long, I had another appt at 4 PM and I was from out of town, etc.  I also had to explain to her my reason for needing to speak with Shay.  She was very nice to me and she made a few calls to see if she could help me get connected to the person who could fix my hearing aid.  I also showed her the letter from Peer Lauritson to Shay and the agreement between them vis-a-vis my hearing aid.

She was successful and told me to go to the Medton office around the corner on Mendele -- this was the first Medton office I had visited two weeks ago.  When I arrived at that office, they were waiting for me and very welcoming. They took the hearing aid and looked at it. Turned out that the wire/tube needed to be replaced.  They were able to replace it right then and there and voila! I had my hearing aid back and was able hear in my left ear once again!

Then I retraced my steps to get back to my car which was parked in a lot and drove to the next place for my mammogram.  I had to park several blocks away as there was no parking anywhere near the building.  I arrived a bit early but was able to be seen immediately.  I had the mammogram taken and then was able to leave and head home.

So, what was it about doing all this that gave me such pleasure?

I conducted all my business today in HEBREW.  ALL OF IT!  Such a small thing that!  And yet it gave me such pleasure.  I love speaking Hebrew...