Pumpkins

In one of the last few posts I noted how there's lack of pumpkin spice and spirit, the Fall feel and no seasons in Israel. Rightfully so.

Well, after deliberation and back and forth, news from the United States didn't get any better of my mother's illness (stage 4 pancreatic cancer, after two years battling lymphoma and the passing of my father). 

Thursday morning we purchased tickets to JFK airport. Roughly 2 hours into the flight I chocked on a piece of meat. That was scary. We don't always think about the wonder of every breath we take, until it stops. Only by standing up (which I'm not sure why I did), I was able to swallow. A true miracle. Just a few more seconds and my ribs would have been broken by the flight attendant and another passenger who knew cpr.

That's the issue when it comes to huge traumatic events - - mind over matter becomes a struggle.

The flight made the day feel like a Yom Arichta. The plane was packed and we did not realize, till we arrived at the airport they we bought business class seats. For a multitude of reasons, this worked out very well for us and everyone was impressed by the behavior of our children (even our girlie that had to pee and was crying during take off).

God only gives all of us one mother. There's no price on that.

As the aircraft landed, we saw rain. Haven't seen that since, forever. 

Exiting, I sang to the baby America America Gd shed his grace on thee. In our case, mercy.

It is cold in the United States. Though we tried to bring what we had long sleeve, I forgot was 60 degree weather meant, leaving the Mediterranean heat. This reminded me of the seasonal depression I experienced prior to our move and the cold returning to my bones.

That said, it was impressive to see once again the wide streets of NYC. The condensed apartments. It's very different from the style of Israel, a dry terrain forced by humans into a greener environment. 

Fall leaves were beside my sister's house and driveway. I don't miss raking leaves, but I do miss the change in seasons.

Somehow we managed to sleep from midnight USA to 5 am. The baby is completely confused, but that was to be expected.

Though we didn't expect to return to the United States so soon, it's a dose of reality to the impact, in a variety of ways, of our move. But as noted earlier on, wonderful to feel or know that there's an international line between the two.

And always fly direct.

Here's to dual citizenship and a reminder to make sure your passport is always active!