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Sunday, October 2, 2016

5777 Parts A and B

The Jewish year of 5777 will bring forth my 65th birthday. Thus, as Rosh Hashanah approaches I contemplate many things; what is truly important, how do we frame our core values; what is life’s true meaning; what Medicare plan should I sign up for?  Medicare is our nation’s way of saying that growing old does have its benefits; and it is time to schedule your next colonoscopy. 
As I contemplate the days ahead, I’ve been reading about mindfulness, have begun meditating and attempting to live more in the moment.  This, I find, is a perfect framework for my complete lack of short term memory.
I am also coming to peace with all I have hoped to accomplish and perhaps what may now be beyond my grasp.  For instance, I am now fully at peace that no matter what I do, I will never be able to fold a fitted sheet.
I have begun taking yoga and, to date, I hate it.  I often feel like a downward facing dog, and thus I see no reason for me to assume a position of such.  Let’s be honest, I’m in it for the spandex.
I reflect on my life and think about the choices I have made.  In wistful moments, I wish I had flossed more regularly.
But Rosh Hashanah reminds us that “Hayom Harat Olam” “Today is the birthday of the world”.  My sense is that the rabbis hadn’t concluded that this is, in fact, the day the big bang occurred 5,777 years ago.  Rather, I’d like to think that they are reminding us that every year, and on every day, we have the opportunity to recreate the world anew.  It is a compelling message of hope and opportunity.  At every age, in every time, new opportunities await us to find meaning, to make a difference, to enrich our lives and the lives of others.
Few experiences opened my eyes to the glorious possibilities and potential that lie in our collective future than Nomi and Keith’s wedding this past summer.  The weekend gathering of friends and family concluding with the wedding ceremony and freilich celebration that followed was a joyous affirmation of love, hope and faith.  Read more at http://draphael-emuse.blogspot.com/2016/09/nomi-and-keiths-wedding.html. 
As always, my family continues to anchor me and ground me. In moments of darkness thinking of them frames my life with joy and meaning.  Alya will spend Sukkot with us, and can’t wait to recreate memories of her childhood by making chains out of construction paper.  She is now using her science background, her skill in communications and her overall extraordinary competency and thoughtfulness as part of an innovative digital marketing team focusing on health and medical related firms. Esteban is a lead professional at a firm that creates customized DNA for research and pharmaceutical purposes.  He promises me that there are ample safeguards in place to prevent a dystopian future.  Nomi continues her studies at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and thinks about working with inner city children and building community gardens.  Keith teaches music at the Friends School and the Baltimore School of Rock.  Jacob is working in a local movie theater, and, on off hours, focusing on his writing and building a wonderful social network of friends.
Jo continues her work at the Epstein School as the counselor for the younger grades and her mixture of kindness, thoughtfulness and strength are a gift to children and families.
I remain the Executive Director of Boston University Hillel, a position that brings together extraordinary opportunity and, at times, overwhelming challenges. Working in Boston and living in Atlanta is difficult and, as a long-term life choice probably makes little sense.  So, life decisions lie in the near future.
The great joy of Nomi and Keith’s wedding in July was followed by difficult doldrums of August when work challenges seemed to wash over me in waves.  During stressful and painful weeks I was so bless to be able to reach out to dear friends and family for counsel and comfort. 
These are the great blessings, the great gifts that God has given me.  I am thankful to all of you who have and who continue to enrich my life in so many ways.

May you have a happy, sweet, healthy and meaningful new year.

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