On my way

Hello. Just a quick note. I am on my way out of Midwesternville for the fine state of NC where I will catch up with J and then help her drive to pick up her new service dog! How exciting.

I'll post again when I return.
Wishing you strength, courage and hope,
Your sister survivor,
Leah

New link

I have added Carrie's site Life or Something Like It to the survivor blogs listed on the right.

I learned of her site through her comment to my previous post.

From a quick look at her site, she seems to have some personal expereince with trauma and recovery as well as some great book reccommendations!

Welcome Carrie, I look forward to reading your blog!

How the meeting went

Hi. Just a quick note to let you know that my meeting went well. Thanks for the support.

Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts

As soon as I finish typing this post, I am walking out the door to go to my big meeting. This meeting is with the grad. school from which I completed a large part of my education but as a result of my PTSD years ago, I had to leave. Now I seek readmission. I am centered, focuses, self-assured, nervous and stressed going in. I guess it is an understandable mix. I can use the good thoughts you send my way.

Thanks,
Leah

STRESS

STresS! That is how I am feeling tonight. So much is going on with D & M, with J and with me. My big meeting as a follow up to this post is coming up on Wed. and it will be a big big factor in deciding my future.

Trying to breathe and stay calm,
Leah

The Elephants of family secrets

Trinity has a funny post about elephants in her parernt's family room (and a great ending to a dream) - check it out!

Touching base

Hi. Today was a long and okay day. I'm a bit worried about my grandmother, who was feeling rotten today (but her doctor wouldn't return her call). She has a previously scheduled appointment tomorrow (to which I will take her), so hopefully the dr. will be able to help her.

I'm also worried about my friend R, who has a lot going on right now - a very ill mother, a cousin who just died at age 22 and some issues himself. We sat and chatted for about 30 minutes today and caught-up, which I enjoyed. He is a wonderful friend, kind, compassionate, considerate and sweet. He deserves a major break and I hope it happens for him soon.

Here's hoping for a good day tomorrow and a good shabbat for you and everyone,
Your sister survivor,
Leah

Israel begins to admit DV prob.

Today, Ma'ariv is reporting that the Knesset Domestic Violence Committe admitted that Israel has a domestic violence problem and that they need to continue to do something about it.

Good steps forward.

Pride

I am so proud of my friends who are standing up for equality against bigotry. Specifically, the Kansas Legislature is considering writing discrimination into their state constitution, banning same-sex marriage and partner benefits. This horrible amendment is currently in the Senate Judiciary committee. Today, D spoke out at a hearing and said, "One particular religious viewpoint should not be put in the constitution." Hear hear and a loud AMEN brother!

D, I am SOOOO proud of you!
Supportive sister,
Leah

Snowy Day

Outside my window the world is white again as the tree branches are covered with snow. Our Midwesternville March day is one of typical March surprise and again I feel joy at the clean beauty, promise and hope of a snow-covered morning.

Wishing you a day of hope and strength,
Your sister thriver/survivor,
Leah

More saddness and heartache in Israel

Sadly, there was another double so-called suicide bombing in Israel today, killing at least 11 people.

May G-d bring speedy healing to the wounded, comfort to the bereaved and heavenly grace to the murdered.

Some time soon all violence, assault and war must end. May it be soon.

Busy Shabbat & Sunday

Hi. Just a quick post to say hello and that I hope all of you are doing okay. I have had a busy week and am headed into another busy one.

May it be a week of survivorship and thrivership, strength and hope for all of us!

Celebrate the women in your life - today is International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day. [Thank you to feminisite for the reminder and thanks to Mike for the link to feminisite.] You can read a bit about the origins and history of IWD from SUNY Bighamton or from an Aussie woman or from Information Please!.

Let us celebrate our strength, courage, perseverance and contributions to our world!

Happy Purim

Be joyful - today is Purim!
I hope you get to celebrate this joyful holiday of hamentaschen (yummy filled cookies for the uninitiated), noisemakers and costumes.
On Purim we remember the heorism of Esther, who risked her life to save her people, our people.

Purim has come to mean other things to me as well. On Purim we use groggers (noisemakers), our feet and mouths to drown out the name of the evil Haman, who because of his ego convinced the King (Achasveirosh) to decree the death of all Jews. This year, I propose that we also drown out the names of all abusive men and women who molest, incest, rape, beat, taunt and instill fear in other men or women or especially in children.

The story of Purim has some problematic sections in it as well as the triumphant ones. For example, Queen Vashti (Queen before Esther) is dethroned because she refuses to be a sex toy for her husband and his friends. Here are two great feminist reflections/articles/programs on Purim: Unmasking Esther: A Women's Celebration and Vashti: A Feminist Heroine?" and Vashti: A Feminist Heroine?.

Purim is a time to speak out against injustice - especially injustice against women. As said in the Unmasking Esther article linked above, "So, dear readers, ha'zak v'ematz, be strong and take courage. As Mordechai once said to Esther (chapter 4:14) "If you persist in keeping silent at a time like this...you and yours will persish. And who knows whether it was just for such a time as this that you attained your elevated position?" And Esther looked him straight in the eye and answered, "Gotcha.""

If you want a general Purim resource, try My Jewish Learning - Purim

Enjoy and be empowered,
Your sister survivor/thriver,
Leah

XML

Hi. Posts to this blog will now be available in XML feed as sponsored by Blogger. Blogger uses Atom. You can find the link to the XML feed in the left column. Here is more information on Atom.

Let me know if you have any problems accessing it.

A Jewish artistic look at the Passion

Hi Yall from gray, wet, gloomy (yet somewhat warm) Midwesternville. This morning, following my usual Monday morning obligation, I finally got a chance to go to Barnes and Noble and get the latest copy of Heeb Magazine: The New Jew Review. (A funny, self-affirming and yet somewhat sef-critical magazine which looks at a previously un-discussed side of the Jewish world.) They have an artisitc presentation on the Passion called Crimes of Passion (once you see issue 5 on the site, clikc on Crimes of Passion within the table of contents to get to the article/production) with pictures and comments of their take on the Passion. I found it powerful, provacative and a bit troubling (one thing in particular is a tad troubling for me - take a look and see if you can guess what it is). One note, there are sexually provacative pictures with some nudity, so if that is triggering or if you are not old enough to see it - don't click on the link! And, I wouldn't be complete if I didn't give a shout out to my friend N who did an awesome job directing and producing the photo shoot and article!! You Go Girl! (I'll continue the brag by telling you that she is also the Creative Director of the magazine!)