BIRTHDAYS

    Happy Birthday, America and Happy Birthday, Mommy. One is 241 years old and the other would have been 95, an age possibility these days. But she is gone from physical life though always present in my heart and mind. Our country is here, but is struggling today, a deep struggle of major divides within the country and there are doubts within the minds of people about its future and meaning. Perhaps we need to combine the two birthdays and see if we come out ahead.
     My mom did not have an easy life. A child of the Depression, there were times she went hungry, years when she literally had two changes of clothing - wear one, wash one and this affected her for the rest of her life. We always had a pantry room full of cans and condiments, supplies and when my parents were able to finally afford extra purchases of clothing, it became a family joke how one needed to buy 'one in every color and every shade of that color'. We could laugh about it, but when we did one could see the remembering in my mother's eyes about the time when that was impossible,  when the full pantry was a dream, when America was not always so kind to its citizens in physical ways and needs.
     And yet we were taught from early years to love and respect our country, to honor it, to salute its flag, to value the rights it gave us and the refuge it gave to people, especially Jewish people over the years, even though the border gates were not always so open for them or any other immigrants.
     My mom stressed that things could always get better, that the worst can be overcome, that hard work makes a difference, and that family is of utmost importance. We started out as a nation with nothing, when the Jews exited slavery from Egypt and we lost all belongings countless times as we were chased and exiled and burnt out but always, when we complained how we would like a toy or game or item of clothing  that we could not afford, my mother would tell us the story of a famous rabbi, the Chofetz Chaim, who possessed few possessions other than his brilliant mind and his holy books. When people came to pay homage to him, or ask for advice or a blessing, they would look around and ask where his belongings were. His answer was a question - so where are yours? Their answer that they were just passing through prompted his response - and so am I.
     The most important possessions we can have are our minds, our hearts, our souls and the knowledge of how to choose good over bad, how to appreciate what we have and always to value love. With those we can improve the world, take on  the takanah - the fixing - of the world, a Jewish theme and value. And with those we can leave behind a good name, a crown valued above all.
     So today when the firecrackers explode overhead and the barbecues sizzle, I will remember you, Mommy, my Nellie, and all the values you imparted to me, to us. I still miss you so much but always you are with me and always I send you hugs and kisses as I still feel yours and hear your voice in times of need and stress. And with your teachings and values, because of you, I will continue to fight for what is right and  against what is wrong, be it here in the Village or out there in the country or in the world.
     Happy Birthday, America - and Happy Birthday to you and may you celebrate yours with Pop and save us all a big piece of cake. I love you.