Inaugural Post: For My Mama, a"h

Yom chamishi, 16 Tevet 5774.

Mama, in Washington DC, 1993

December is my mother's month.

She was born today, 76 years ago. Christmas was her favorite holiday, with Halloween a close second. (If you do not know me, and you are not a regular reader of my blogs, you will not have known that I was not born Jewish. Story later.) She was not religious, probably not even a Christian -- though she believed in God -- but she loved color and light and the kindness people dust off and bring out during this holiday season. She was a snowdrift and snowflake lover, with the good sense to know the value of a warm fire and a cup of mulled cider. She loved good food and good company. She knew a little bit about a lot of things, had a remarkable native wisdom, and a beautiful singing voice, which her grandchildren have inherited.

I have been writing since I was a child. I started blogging several years ago, mostly at Ki Yachol Nuchal!," all about making aliyah to Israel. It has been such a pleasure to write that blog, to explore, with you, my new life in this land. I have also written several posts for the Times of Israel, using the device "To my dear sons" -- advice about marriage and child-rearing, thinly disguised as advice for my children (so people would perhaps be less likely to think me pompous).

I have pretty much said what I needed to say in the first forum, and have felt a bit constrained by the latter. Lately I've been wanting to create a new blog, without boundaries, so I could say whatever is on my mind, without a specific format. If it gets too far afield, I suspect you will let me know.

This must have been around 1970, in California.

It mattered to me to have a starting date for this new project. I thought that honoring Mama would be a good beginning, as she was my beginning, and a good story in her own right. By honoring her, I also hope to honor my sisters and brother, who fulfilled her desire of absolutely being their own selves -- diametrically different, completely unique -- but tied together by a deep desire to continue as family, no matter what. She would have been proud, I think, of the way they and their children and their children are turning out. I know that I am.

She loved costumes and makeup. She also loved Purim!

Like the previous blogs, this blog will have stories unique to Israel, and advice about raising kids and staying happily married. I've lived more than a half a century, and I have learned some things; so it seems worthwhile to share. I have a ton to learn; and if you're with me on the journey, we can make discoveries together. Because there is no specific format, the stories and advice will have history and recipes and rages (no doubt) and maybe even a few things I've never been brave enough before to explore in written form: questions about God, about Judaism, about the philosophy of being human.

Please give me your bracha, your blessing, for success.

Mama's cane, and a photo of my son and his son, next to a photo of Mama and me.

Mama, my prayer is that we make you proud. You so deserve to be proud of your work in this world!