If I Could, I Certainly Would

An honest thought...

a number of years ago i challenged myself to jump out of a plane, it was something i always wanted to do and no one i knew had ever done it. a new friend of mine was telling me that she was about to go for her first jump. she asked me to describe the experience and we both laughed as i described my anxiety over jumping... it was horrifying but when i finally peeled my fingers off the side of the plane and flung myself outward and when the shute 'finally' opened, it was the most peaceful time i have ever experienced... what a contrast to the moment before.

i wonder if birds ever fly just for fun? if i could, i certainly would.

For My Daughter's Sake?

An honest thought...

i said to someone today, that we are living in a crazy world. people testing bombs and the resolve of others... practically daring the rest of the world to do something. i think i know who's right in all this craziness but the problem is, there are a lot more of 'them' than 'us' so right doesn't seem to matter.

everyday i wonder if there has been more good done than bad... there was a time, probably not too long ago, when that was easy to answer... and now i just pray, for my daughter's sake.

My Daughter's First Concert

An honest thought...

i was at a funeral a few weeks ago for a young man i knew. his name was ken, he was 38 years old and lost his battle after years of fighting. he leaves behind his beautiful, young, 5 year old daughter. my daughter is only 17 months and my fear, is that i leave before she has known me long enough to remember me. is that selfish? well i imagine everyone wants to be remembered in some way; i hope ken's little girl will always remember her dad.

in one of the eulogies at ken's funeral, a friend tells a story about the day ken was showing him pictures of his little girl... ken paused and said "can you believe there is a part of me in her? isn't that amazing?"

life is a collection of memories and the more memories we create, the longer we live in the hearts and minds of others. we should all live our lives in a way that creates as many good memories as we can... and then perhaps, we'll live forever...

i've attached a picture of my beautiful daughter Nesya... miracle of g-d, it is a picture i took at her first concert... a few hours she and i spent together this past july 2006, she was 15 months, a memory i will have forever and when she is old enough, i will pass it on to her to cherrish as well. can you believe there is a part of me in her?... isn't that amazing! i can't wait until she is old enough to know what that means.