Shabbat Inspiration with Diane

  This has been the most delightful two weeks of my most recent life. You know from my wanderings that my flight back from Dallas to Boston on Memorial Day “somehow” diverted me to Denver where my son’s family including our adorable granddaughter live. We had a delightful time there. That Friday I flew back to Boston with her and since then we’ve been together on Gramzy adventures for the past ten days. The expression “I feel in seventh heaven” resonates regardless of the merit of the allusion!   Two Shabbats at Ruach were over the top wonderful in all ways, not to mention glamping trips each weekend after services and oneg as we traveled in our RV to be with our other son’s... Read More →

  Last week we pondered how our emotional wiring starting from childhood frames our life perspective. In situations where we have experienced hardship and trauma from a young age, in perception or reality, our lives can be stuck in negative cycles that can not only distort our realities, but also, rob joy from our lives.   In addition to actual pain we’ve experienced affecting our perspectives, we can also fall victim to misunderstanding what really happened. With that trap and all the pitfalls of life at work, not to mention evil influences, it’s a wonder we can feel positive at all! That thought gave me pause, for it must be some amazing force of good and light, that is, God... Read More →

  I suppose it sounds corny – “God is love”.  We’ve heard the phrase so many times. It sends a beautiful direct and subliminal message making us feel comforted just in seeing the words and bringing them to our consciousness. What this week’s experiences have shown me, reminded me of, is the immense power of that love.   I really have not landed home from Florida yet. I’ve been back, to the Shabbaton, to services, and a brief unload of packed belongings to my home. On the heels of that trip, however, I flew to NYC for work and then to Dallas to be with my sister on her big birthday.   In the Dallas airport Monday afternoon, as I was looking forward to returning home (or to... Read More →

  Spoiler Alert: Do not read this Shabbat encouragement unless you have already seen or do not plan to watch the movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures” on Netflix starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman (as well as Marcellus the octopus). The big reveal occurs in the last ten minutes of the movie so if you do watch it I encourage you to be patient, for the movie moves a bit slowly.   Why am I writing a movie review as this week’s encouragement? Because it is encouraging.   The narrative follows two ordinary people but is told through the eyes of a not so ordinary narrator, an omniscient octopus named Marcellus. We enter his thoughts as he discusses his observations of the... Read More →

  Last week we pondered this time of reset – an opportunity to slow down, reset our priorities, and move forward with intention, specifically with God at the helm. Then I was focusing on just having returned from our wintering in Florida. I was looking forward to literally this next season of rebirth internally and was reminded of its exquisite timing as I observed nature’s glorious rebirths of spring.   So of course the Ruach Shabbaton was perfectly timed. What a shift to go from full on, even beyond normal busy because of travel and moving, to the peace of last weekend. I must profusely thank those Ruachites who made this possible and I pray they will have similar... Read More →

  I love my sister’s house.   Sid and I arrived late Monday night from our sojourn in Florida. In some ways it seems like we’ve been gone for a long time. In other ways it’s as if I never left, for my heart is always here even when away.   One of my favorite rooms is her “cabin room”, a delightful second floor wooden room warmed in the winter with a wood stove at its center with full view of the backyard trees through wall to wall windows. It’s as if I’m in a forest with a literal bird’s eye view.   This morning as I sat there with my morning coffee I was so at peace, feeling God’s Presence. It had been awhile since I had felt that peaceful intimacy, for the last... Read More →

  While in Florida for the past several years I’ve enjoyed being part of “The Jam”. This is a group of singers and musicians made up of some of us who live here. On Thursday afternoons we perform for other residents who bring their lawn chairs to listen and relax by the local canal. Looking back I think the jam has been a training ground for me to become more confident in my singing since for my first 50 years I was a musician (pianist and clarinetist).   For the past couple years I have not been as drawn to participate but if I do I’ve wanted to only sing spiritually uplifting songs. The group loves oldies so I’ve focused on ones like “Turn, Turn, Turn” , “If I Had a Hammer”,... Read More →

  Last week we noodled the importance of bringing more love into this world in order to combat the dark forces of evil. I was still kvelling (rejoicing) in the warmth of love still aglow from our granddaughter’s visit and thanking God for all the blessings He made possible.     Yet I know there are times when we’re just not feelin’ it, especially when so much seems to be going wrong, personally or societally. To some my life sounds euphoric while theirs feels more like Job’s! Trust me I have had and probably will have again my share of tsuris (troubles)!     Sometimes joy in the Lord seems made for others, not for us. Yet we all... Read More →

  Last week I shared with you the joy and peace that I was experiencing as a result of the visit by our 7 year old granddaughter. Now after days of Disneyworld, camping in our RV, travel to a five year old grandson’s birthday party in St. Petersburg, more beach and swim days, and travel home,  I can only say I’m not the least bit tired. Rather, I am renewed and refreshed. That is not of human capacity. That is of the Lord.        I honestly feel that the power of love is so strong that it really can overcome inexplicable challenges and even darkness. It is that latter aspect that has intrigued me, especially this week.        What is going on in the world???!!!! It only gets crazier.... Read More →

  The past weeks have been filled with goodness and yet I have been challenged with more responsibilities than usual. Primarily my efforts have been focused on nursing Sid back to health and Baruch Hashem he is now pain free as his ankle continues to heal. We are praying that the x-rays next week show the anticipated progress to allow weight bearing.      Months ago a visit by our 7 year old granddaughter had been planned. This was to be particularly special since she lives in Denver and was going to be here without her parents for 10 days!! Gramzy’s heart was singing with just the thought! Needless to say as the planned date came closer, given Sid’s accident, many conflicting thoughts... Read More →

  Several weeks ago I shared with you the importance of keeping God in our thoughts moment by moment. Reflecting on that directive made me ponder further the impossibility of doing just that. How can I possibly think about God moment by moment if my life is so busy? I’ve been shown in the past that when I get caught up in the swirl, whether on a cruise or in a crisis, in fun to be had or fires to be put out, thoughts of the Divine get pushed aside for the joy or pain of the moment.     As Sid’s caregiver for the past 5 weeks I have not been able to think of God, per se, in each moment. Instead, when I slow up, gratefulness and thankfulness fill me. I see the small... Read More →

For the past several sermons Rabbi Nathan has continued his exploration of the Sermon on the Mount and the central role in those passages of what is commonly known as The Lord’s Prayer (Tefilat Avinu). That concept itself is so very novel and thought provoking not to mention the revelations he has shared from that perspective. I highly recommend you find these sermons on the Ruach Israel YouTube channel for these anointed teachings.      As a Jewish reader you are well aware of the understanding that we commonly consider this prayer as Christian. (“Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name . . . “). Even as a Messianic Jewish believer not until these sermons have I more fully... Read More →

  This morning Sid and I were having what I thought was just an interesting chat. I was sharing with him the latest examples of “synchronicities”, those perfectly timed coincidences that show our Creator is orchestrating our lives so beautifully and mysteriously.   I stopped waxing poetic for I had a sudden thought.   “Sid, you know He does this for everyone,” to which Sid replied, “No. You’re special.”   Wow ! So not true! We continued . . .   “Sid, you know God loves all of His children exactly the same. There are no favorites. It’s just that when you’re in a relationship and it’s one-sided you tend to interact more with those who are with you more often. I’m... Read More →

  Last week I shared with you details of Sid’s terrible fall which caused a severe broken ankle requiring complete immobilization for the foreseeable future. As a result I have checked out of all of my usual activities including phone time, for I am by his side almost all of the time.   In the past when I’ve been ill myself, unless impossible, I have tried to keep all the balls juggling in the air. This time as Sid’s caregiver it has been quite the opposite. Sid is my sole focus and nothing else seems important to me other than making his days as cheerful and comfortable as possible. Unexpectedly, other than his discomfort and discouragement which I work to alleviate, these... Read More →

  We all know of the manna which God provided for the Israelites when in the desert for 40 years after escaping bondage in Egypt.  When the dew evaporated what was left behind was a flake-like substance perhaps tasting a bit sweet like honey. When this heavenly dew fell the Israelites may have said “Ma’n hu?” “What is this?” though Rashi suggests it comes from the root “m-n-h” to “allot” or “portion”.   Amazingly the flakes could be heated by baking or even boiling and the end result is referenced as bread from heaven metaphorically in our ponderings of this miraculous provision. They most likely were formed into an edible form similar to bread and of course in our holy... Read More →

  Sid and I are watching a worthwhile TV miniseries called “A Small Light” on Prime Video. It is the story of Miep Gies who was instrumental in hiding Anne Frank and her family in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. The show’s depiction of Miep’s transformation from a carefree, fun seeking socialite to a person willing to sacrifice her life to help others is riveting.   We have not completely finished the series yet. At this point we are learning more about Miep’s quiet social worker husband Jan who takes the concept one step further. He not only becomes persuaded by his wife to help the Franks but over time feels he must do more. He even becomes willing to kill.  ... Read More →

  I recently read a fascinating article about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. For some of you she was a figure in history, the First Lady when John F. Kennedy was President. For many of us she was an amazing person we often read about in the headlines, her demeanor and interactions with foreign dignitaries always noteworthy.   At a social gathering during the height of the Cold War the First Lady had listened intently to the Premier of Russia Nikita Krushchev’s stories of the Soviet canines Belka and Strelka. They had orbited the earth in space which was quite an accomplishment. Jackie was genuinely interested in Krushchev as a person, and so, learned of his great joy in talking... Read More →

As many of you know, my mantra is conversation leads to understanding. Even in the most tense of situations, even in thinking about horrific events that have been and are happening, if we imagined the people involved civilly discussing their issues with each other, the results would be different. People with diverse opinions would be able to hear another way to look at the topic at hand and even if remaining of a different perspective would still have a better understanding of the other person’s point of view. At a minimum there would be respectful treatment. A hope would be love and understanding. As you know, I belong to a Bible study group that is very diverse. We have... Read More →

  This past week I lost two members of my extended family to complications from dementia. They had been suffering for several years and their suffering finally ended within days of each other. At the time Sid and I were babysitting our grandchildren as we experienced the both/and of life, the grief of loss alongside the joy of being with those precious grandsons.   I’ve just returned from bringing matzah ball soup to the 92 year old neighbor I described to you last week who is being forced to leave her home to move to Dallas, Texas. Last week when I arrived to visit Sarah, “synchronistically” another neighbor arrived at exactly the same time. Although she was a longtime friend... Read More →

  I recently met a 92 year old woman whose story saddened me deeply as she shared it.   I didn’t know her but met Sarah while on a walk with a friend who wanted to stop to check in on her. As we walked into Sarah’s very small home it was like an Alice Through the Looking Glass experience. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, intricate shell art, the furnishings as if at my grandmother’s home, the smile on her face so welcoming. I was transported to another time and place.   Sarah was being forced to move from her home despite having been granted a life estate. Since she was suffering from macular degeneration she chose not to fight and instead had resigned... Read More →

  It’s that time again. Sid and I just arrived in Florida and we will be here until May. I’ve shared with you before how this schedule was never my plan. Yet over the past five years it has come to be, and with it new experiences, new relationships, more trust in HaShem.   It was completely counterintuitive that I could ever be away so long from my family and friends up north and my Ruach community. Perhaps the timing of Covid hitting at this same juncture in my life made the transition easier, for much of life became available remotely for those first several years. Now it remains a blessing that I can continue to work remotely, attend board meetings in this way, as well a... Read More →

  I recently shared with you the scary experiences of worrying about our home in Maine during the long time of below average temperatures while we were with family over the holidays in Massachusetts and Vermont. As we have been preparing for our time in Florida new ideas are being tried of how to protect our home for even a longer time away during these cold winter months.   I really know nothing about this subject and have watched enough YouTube videos on what to do that I now know there’s more to winterizing a house than I could learn in a short tutorial. Although I would have called a neighbor or professional for help, Sid decided he could handle it and he did not ask for... Read More →

  I am such a work in progress. Aren’t we all?   I shared with you the Thanksgiving drama this year of having been without my cell phone for the entire five day trip to Nashville and how I grew closer to God through that experience. I guess the holidays are His teaching tool for me as of late so here we go again . . .   Ever since my now 47 year old son was born our extended families have gone to my brother’s house to be together over the Christmas vacation days since schools are out and many businesses closed. We would go to his home first in Florida, then Massachusetts, now in Vermont. Over the years children have grown and married, grandchildren have arrived so it’s... Read More →

  At this time of year when surrounded by festive lights and reminders of Christmas, we often hear the expression, “’Tis the season!” Although used in the 19th century previous to the well known Christmas carol “Deck the Halls”, that song popularized the expression which has come down through the ages to us today. Over the years its use has expanded beyond the Christmas season reference and has become part of our vernacular. Watch out, ‘tis the season for ticks, for colds. . . .   By far the most common usage, however, does relate to this time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. ‘Tis the season to celebrate these festive holidays that approach with all the trappings we enjoy.... Read More →

  It really is a wonderful time of year. Of course it’s busy, but it’s really a good busy in the sense of our having plenty to eat, warm homes, loving people in our lives, often too many to be with at one time. What nice problems to have in today’s world of woes, and that is also true. We live in the both/and.   Hanukkah brings forth memories of miracles, light in the darkness, and latkes! We are so grateful for this time of year to be able to celebrate these ancient days that are still so impactful today. This year, in particular, seems to present an especially important season to reflect more deeply on the origins of this holiday when we light our Hanukkiah candles bringing... Read More →