Last year, Raphaela (in stroller) and I participated in the short route of the Jerusalem March; we both enjoyed the carnival afterward in Gan Saccher, though the day was dominated by the historic return of the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit to Israeli soil.
I woke up this morning with every intention to once again walk in the March. I dropped Raphaela off at Gan and...decided that I was going to do nothing today. Rather than obligate myself, I made of list of errands that could get done, if I felt like it.
I did not answer the phone for patients today. I washed the car from the mud of the recent rain. I went to the mall and bought myself a new Winter outfit. I visited friends visiting from the States for the holidays. I checked my email, folded some laundry and sat down for a quiet lunch. I read a book about arms and armour. I took care of myself and my house without the distraction of a toddler and without the pressure of the time schedule.
It was lovely, and bonus, Raphaela gets a more relaxed Mom this evening.
Showing posts with label Gilad Shalit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gilad Shalit. Show all posts
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
How I Spent My Chol Hamoed Vacation
By Raphaela Rivka Danzig Leeder
Friday (Day One): Mommy and Olga could not have ordered better weather from the catalog, and after much worry left over from the rejection of the teen years, all our guests arrived for mine and Mika's private birthday party. We even managed to snag picnic tables right next to the playground, and we children spent close to three hours eating mostly unhealthy fun food and the parents talking to each other in between chasing after the collective group of two year olds. It felt so wonderful to see Mommy with her friends, and to celebrate our birth will some of my friends, a full charter member of the Mommies Club.
Sunday (Day Three): Mommy managed to fill the morning with fun errands, and when we arrived at the park, my friend Avigayil from Gan happened to be there as well, and so we played together for two hours.
Mommy got a great offer from a friend, who at the last minute was able to secure a space in a B and B for the rest of Chol Hamoed, but we could not make all the arrangements, including finding a sitter for Harry.
The mosquitos have enjoyed quite a feast on my arms and legs, and I am trying not to scratch. It kinda takes the fun out of sitting in the Succah. Mommy was surprised that they went after me and not her, as they usually eat her as well.
Monday (Day Four): Another morning of fun errands, art projects and outdoor play, and after a decent nap, we played with Olga and Mika for several hours. Our birth preparation class during the pregnancy lacked content and quality, the best thing that came out of it was our friendship with Mika and her family.
Tuesday (Day Five): Mommy and I participated this morning in the Trek through Jerusalem, which is to say that I sat in the stroller and Mommy pushed me all along the route throughout the city. We arrived at the finish line at Gan Sacher, where the organizers had arranged Gymboree and concerts and games for the children and the adults. During one of the dance performances, around 11:10 am, they interrupted the broadcast on the large screen with a live feed featuring Gilad Shalit, and announced that he was officially on Israeli soil. All the crowd clapped and cheered, and Mommy started crying out of joy for Gilad's parents; she simply could not help herself.
When the various groups arrived in parade formation, with their costumes and flags and songs about Jerusalem, Mommy picked me up and we danced and sang along with them. She loves being part of large group, sharing in celebration and remembering our amazing heritage. I feel very lucky to have been born in Jerusalem, the first Danzig in three generations.
Tonight, as usual, Mommy and I went to our swim lesson; I get more and more confident in the water every week, and soon I will be swimming on my own.
Wednesday (Day Six and Erev Chag, again): My best friend had a birthday party this morning, Mommy and I went over early to help them set up. Many of my other Gan friends were there, and the general concensus among the parents was relief that we return to our regular schedule next Sunday. After a round of playground and snacks and ice cream, and after getting a 'manicure' with sparkly stars, we went home and both took a badly-needed nap.
Friday (Day One): Mommy and Olga could not have ordered better weather from the catalog, and after much worry left over from the rejection of the teen years, all our guests arrived for mine and Mika's private birthday party. We even managed to snag picnic tables right next to the playground, and we children spent close to three hours eating mostly unhealthy fun food and the parents talking to each other in between chasing after the collective group of two year olds. It felt so wonderful to see Mommy with her friends, and to celebrate our birth will some of my friends, a full charter member of the Mommies Club.
Sunday (Day Three): Mommy managed to fill the morning with fun errands, and when we arrived at the park, my friend Avigayil from Gan happened to be there as well, and so we played together for two hours.
Mommy got a great offer from a friend, who at the last minute was able to secure a space in a B and B for the rest of Chol Hamoed, but we could not make all the arrangements, including finding a sitter for Harry.
The mosquitos have enjoyed quite a feast on my arms and legs, and I am trying not to scratch. It kinda takes the fun out of sitting in the Succah. Mommy was surprised that they went after me and not her, as they usually eat her as well.
Monday (Day Four): Another morning of fun errands, art projects and outdoor play, and after a decent nap, we played with Olga and Mika for several hours. Our birth preparation class during the pregnancy lacked content and quality, the best thing that came out of it was our friendship with Mika and her family.
Tuesday (Day Five): Mommy and I participated this morning in the Trek through Jerusalem, which is to say that I sat in the stroller and Mommy pushed me all along the route throughout the city. We arrived at the finish line at Gan Sacher, where the organizers had arranged Gymboree and concerts and games for the children and the adults. During one of the dance performances, around 11:10 am, they interrupted the broadcast on the large screen with a live feed featuring Gilad Shalit, and announced that he was officially on Israeli soil. All the crowd clapped and cheered, and Mommy started crying out of joy for Gilad's parents; she simply could not help herself.
When the various groups arrived in parade formation, with their costumes and flags and songs about Jerusalem, Mommy picked me up and we danced and sang along with them. She loves being part of large group, sharing in celebration and remembering our amazing heritage. I feel very lucky to have been born in Jerusalem, the first Danzig in three generations.
Tonight, as usual, Mommy and I went to our swim lesson; I get more and more confident in the water every week, and soon I will be swimming on my own.
Wednesday (Day Six and Erev Chag, again): My best friend had a birthday party this morning, Mommy and I went over early to help them set up. Many of my other Gan friends were there, and the general concensus among the parents was relief that we return to our regular schedule next Sunday. After a round of playground and snacks and ice cream, and after getting a 'manicure' with sparkly stars, we went home and both took a badly-needed nap.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Welcome Home Gilad Shalit
"I regret the fact that the bereaved families were not with us...not implementing the deal will not return the murdered loved ones and would sentence Gilad to death." Noam Shalit, father of Gilad Shalit
As an Israeli and as a mother, I rejoice with the Shalit family, may Gilad return safe and sound, mentally and physically.
A small-scale prisoner exchange in 1985 resulted in the deaths of 178 Israelis.
"I don't know whether more soldiers will be abducted...but so long as Palestinian prisoners continue to suffer in prisons, there will be an incentive to free them via any available means. I urge the government of Israel to release [all] the prisoners to put an end to this whole issue." Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the leaders of Hamas
The majority of the terrorists being released have serious blood on their hands, and having spent time in prison has only strengthened their resolve to continue violent and deadly activity against Israel. Those that remain in jail got there legitimately, by choice and because of their own actions against innocent human beings, and hardly represent 'victims' of the Zionist entity.
"Hamas: Shalit deal includes ending Gaza blockade"
"IDF to troops: Don't become another Shalit; Army tells soliders to do anything necessary, including endangering comrades, to avoid abduction." Various Haaretz headlines, Tuesday 18/10/11
As an Israeli and as a mother of a future Israeli soldier, I will have a lot more trouble sleeping after today's events.
"We [human beings] are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying." Douglas Adams
As an Israeli and as a mother, I rejoice with the Shalit family, may Gilad return safe and sound, mentally and physically.
A small-scale prisoner exchange in 1985 resulted in the deaths of 178 Israelis.
"I don't know whether more soldiers will be abducted...but so long as Palestinian prisoners continue to suffer in prisons, there will be an incentive to free them via any available means. I urge the government of Israel to release [all] the prisoners to put an end to this whole issue." Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the leaders of Hamas
The majority of the terrorists being released have serious blood on their hands, and having spent time in prison has only strengthened their resolve to continue violent and deadly activity against Israel. Those that remain in jail got there legitimately, by choice and because of their own actions against innocent human beings, and hardly represent 'victims' of the Zionist entity.
"Hamas: Shalit deal includes ending Gaza blockade"
"IDF to troops: Don't become another Shalit; Army tells soliders to do anything necessary, including endangering comrades, to avoid abduction." Various Haaretz headlines, Tuesday 18/10/11
As an Israeli and as a mother of a future Israeli soldier, I will have a lot more trouble sleeping after today's events.
"We [human beings] are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying." Douglas Adams
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
1935 Days
Hi, this is Raphaela at the computer.
When I was inside my Mommy's stomach, we went to the commemoration of the 1000 days that Gilad Shalit was held in captivity. It was a very moving ceremony, Mommy felt the highs and lows and inspiration, similar to Yom Kippur. For the last five years, Mommy has had a Gilad Shalit flag flying from our porch, wherever we lived.
This afternoon, Mommy and I took a walk to the Gilad Shalit tent and Succah across from the Prime Minister's house, because today is a very special day for the Shalit family: it seems that PM Netanyahu has arranged a deal to finally bring Gilad home to his Mommy and Daddy. I am glad this happened on my Hebrew birthday.
To quote Ariel Sharon, Israel never leaves a man behind.
Mommy has very mixed emotions and worries that Israel is trading Gilad Shalit for 1000 terrorists. She wonders what these bad people will do now that they are out of jail; Mommy says that rewarding very bad behaviour is not very good parenting.
When I was inside my Mommy's stomach, we went to the commemoration of the 1000 days that Gilad Shalit was held in captivity. It was a very moving ceremony, Mommy felt the highs and lows and inspiration, similar to Yom Kippur. For the last five years, Mommy has had a Gilad Shalit flag flying from our porch, wherever we lived.
This afternoon, Mommy and I took a walk to the Gilad Shalit tent and Succah across from the Prime Minister's house, because today is a very special day for the Shalit family: it seems that PM Netanyahu has arranged a deal to finally bring Gilad home to his Mommy and Daddy. I am glad this happened on my Hebrew birthday.
To quote Ariel Sharon, Israel never leaves a man behind.
Mommy has very mixed emotions and worries that Israel is trading Gilad Shalit for 1000 terrorists. She wonders what these bad people will do now that they are out of jail; Mommy says that rewarding very bad behaviour is not very good parenting.
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