My Year in Review

The Jewish year comes to a close tomorrow evening and as most of us probably do, I thought I would look back at this year. Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. In April, I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on my upper left arm, that fell somewhere in between stage 1 and stage 2. The first in office surgery I had, completely removed it but I was sent off to a top specialist at the skin cancer clinic of Tel HaShomer Hospital. He quickly informed me that I had to have further surgery on my arm to remove tissue surrounding the area of the melanoma and to test the lymph nodes under my arm. In June, I underwent this surgery and now have a 9 inch scar on my upper left arm. My lymph nodes were clean, the dermatologist said the rest of my skin looks good and I will see the oncologist in the beginning of October. In a country famed for it's sunshine (among other things), I spent the summer indoors or dressed in long sleeves and a floppy sun hat.  I hope to live a long life, however it will be smothered in sunscreen and hidden under long sleeves and long pants.

2. America, you're breaking my heart. This is the title of a blog post I started and never finished. Since the election and inauguration of Trump, this has been a constant refrain for me. This and What the Fuck? but I digress. What is happening in America greatly saddens me and I obsessively check Twitter each day to find out what astounding thing  happened while I was sleeping. I never finished that blog post because I have nothing to add to the chorus of voices who decry the actions of Trump and the Republican party. The lessening of empathy and the value of human life.

I was arguing with my SO the other day and he insisted that part of the problem is that the "left" doesn't allow the right to speak. My answer was the very erudite and vocabulary rich response of: "Fuck your misogyny, Fuck your antisemitism and Fuck your racism".  The Twitter equivalent of don't @ me.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I live in Israel, a country that is equally as messed up as America. You might be right, as a good friend of mine used to say. Our prime minister is most likely corrupt, takes his political cues from the playbook of neo-nazis in a Jewish country and we most certainly treat Arabs as second class citizens, similar to how America treats POC. Now, more than ever, I believe that a homeland for the Jews is essential to our survival. How that land looks and how it behaves, I am willing to help change through my vote, my actions and my feet. Believe me, it can happen there.

3. Obligatory children update:
#1 less than a year left in the army, plans to work and travel afterwards
#2 senior in high school, soon to be 18, finally has a job, went to Poland on a historical trip with school
#3 made it through the school year, performed in a play, continues on her journey of self discovery
#1, #2, #3: LOVE THEM TO THE MOON AND BACK, COULDN'T BE PROUDER

On the subject of children, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this year, my HCPLL and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. It's been a hell of a ride, but this year especially, his love and support was just the touchstone I needed and need.

4. I'm feeling my age. This coming year is the last one I will spend in my 40s. My back hurts, my knees hurt. Three surgeries this past year and more and more frequently, my house is empty at night.

As Scarlett so famously says "where will I go, what will I do?", and this is a question I find myself asking more and more. Luckily, my spouse does give a damn and like Sandy and Danny, we will sail off in to the sunset in a flying vintage car together.

May the year to come bring us all peace, happiness, health and impeachment! Shana tova!