letters to and from Linda...

Linda Labi wrote: Thank you very much for your best wishes. Hope you feel better soon, Love Linda
Izzy Sommers wrote:
Dearest Linda,

Hippo Birdie Gnu Ewe.
Hippo Birdie Gnu Ewe
Hippo Birdie Deer Laylie
Hippo Birdie Gnu Ewe!

Happy 39th Birthday. Mazel Tov on everything including the marriage of all your daughters and the births of all your new grandchildren. I'm sorry I haven't been around for a lot of it. I've not been well. However, I'm better now and I hope to be better and to have a better attitude in the years to come. Perhaps we can get to knwo each other better before I get to be 71 or 72... I am now more than ever aware of what I do to prevent contact and intimacy with kith and kin and I'm sorry I've put a wall around me at times, even when I haven't been depressed. I'm still getting the hang of letting my hair down and admitting I have a lovely family and I had good parenting despite what I was so bitter about in the past. My born again christian friend has done a lot to teach me forgiveness and love and it's been an eye opener. In effect, I grew up suspicious and resistent and made those around me miserable by refusing to accept love and giving love. I used to think I was so independent that I didn't need it or want it. Well... I've finally awoken to the idea that a family is very precious and that I need it's love and I need to partipate in it's loving events. So, it took 70 years to learn... better late than never. I'm sad I never had a chance to make my peace with Ma and Daddy, but if their listening, I'm ready now....

I've been enjoying going to the synagogue, B'nai Tikva, also B'nai Jakob, in Niagara Falls. There's rarely a minion. When there's only 3 or 4, we have a discussion of the Torah section appropriate to that particular week. I love the old stories of the patriarchs, the begatting and the rules and regulations. The stories of the characters, like Jacob and Joseph, Lot and Rebecca, are better than any soap opera. There's also a lot of psychological meat for discussion and a lot of sociology that applies even today, perhaps espectially today. If the stories are merely allegorical, they are still significant inasmuch as it reflects the thoughts and feelings of the ancients and their similarity to ours, today.

In the meantime, may this Cinco da Mayo be your best ever and may you have a great year with your loved ones. All the best to you and Meir and everyone. May you get to see the lilly-livered albotross and the sabre-toothed sea gull this year...

Love,

Izzy.


Cogito. Ergo, sum!
Je pense. Donc, je suis!
I think. Therefore, I am!
Ich denk. Also, ich bin!

I didn't think. Therefore, I wasn't. ;-(