Heeding a Blessing in Disguise

A fellow nurse that I work with recently and unexpectedly spent two nights in the hospital. Every nurse dreads the thought of being on the receiving end of hospital care, so when he returned to work I welcomed him back and asked how his stay in the hospital was. Interestingly, he told me that the [...]

When Advice is Hard to Come By

A little over a week ago, I found myself laying flat on my back, shaking uncontrollably.  Blinded by bright lights, I could make out the form of two women standing over me. With looks of concern on their faces they questioned if I was alright.  Though I was having trouble enunciating I assured them that [...]

A Quiet Miracle in Room 7

“Please tell mom that dad and I will be in to visit her on Saturday.”  As I hung up the phone after having a brief conversation with the son of a patient I was caring for, I found myself saddened.  Though the son was pleasant and asked the usual questions regarding the condition of his [...]

When Shalom is not Peaceful

I remember the day, about four years ago now, in which I first stepped foot in a Messianic Synagogue.  After being convicted regarding the Biblical admonition to celebrate the “literal” seventh day Sabbath I knew that I would have to find a place to worship on Saturday.  The choices in my area were fairly limited, [...]

Preparing for Yamim Noraim

Last year I was not prepared for the High Holy Days.  The “Yamim Noraim” (Days of Awe) came upon me so suddenly that I found myself scrambling to review details and prepare for Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur.  Like a flash and a breeze the two Moadim came and went.  After they were over and [...]

The Liberty of Leftovers

“A wonderfully wise mother taught her children to always leave a little food on their plates, she admonished them each meal to leave some of the food behind and not to eat it all. . .in this way she trained them in the details of holiness.”
 As I came upon this illustration used by a Haredi rabbi [...]

A Sanctuary of Destruction

When I was a young woman, I attended an all female Catholic college.  On the top floor of the dorm where I lived were the quarters for the nuns.  In many ways I found the nuns life attractive.  The devotion to G-d, the simplicity, the discipline, somehow appealed to me.  During my college years I [...]

Surprised by a Swarm of Swallows

Over the past few weeks I have twice been surprised by swallows and have found myself in the midst of swallows swarming all about me on two different occasions.  The first was a recent trip to one of the islands located in the Western basin of Lake Erie.  A day of cycling on this island [...]

The Tears of Yoledet

Yoledet is the Hebrew word for “childbirth”.  A yoledet is a term used for a woman who is in labor and about to give birth as well as for the woman who has recently given birth.  The “tears of yoledet” then, are the tears of childbirth.  Every woman who has ever given birth knows that [...]

Rejected

 
I personally know what it is like to be rejected.  As a matter of fact about every 4-6 weeks I receive a letter in the mail that always starts the same way; “We regret to inform you that your recent application for “x” credit card has been denied, if you have any questions regarding this [...]