Can you remember what song contained that question? Give up? It was the iconic song "Happy Together" sung by The Turtles. It speaks of an innocent time, more than now, when there remained a kind of naive hope that we could actually find such a time, when all of us would, could, be happy together, and the sky will be blue. For all our lives. Would that be so, though I fear not.
Clouds are increasing in darkness and danger. Manmade clouds are driving spikes through the world, these horrid 'accidents' of nature, unusual phenomena, push us ever closer to a total destruction almost biblical in intensity - and no, I am not talking of the weather of the natural world, weird as it is. In fact, I am referring to the weather of the world of mankind, fragile, confused, angry, unthinking.
Where are our blue skies? Where is our chance to "be happy together"? These hopes are seemingly unattainable. Worse, there are countries, dictators, who turn away from such weather for it is most inimical to them and their goals. Thus, we face stormy weather growing in intensity, in ugliness, endless and hopeless.
However, if we look carefully, there are moments and memories of blue skies and happiness. They sustain, bolster, our hope for a return, if not to an ideal world, at least less of a threatening, very dark dystopian society. Today, for me, despite all the ugly storms out there, colored red with blood shed, replete with lightning strikes, there are blue skies and I laugh and cry as I think of them.
This year, today, I celebrate two sources of happiness. It is Mother's Day. I think of my mom, whose death in 2012 continues to leave a fathomless hole of grief. I continue to pick up a phone to call, to share, and then quietly replace it. No calls will go through. Only the ones in my head as I think of her, laugh and share the memories, the ones that continue to strengthen us. Her memory remains strong within the minds and hearts right down to the great grandchildren. And I would so love to read her this paragraph. I am ever so grateful for my mother, the strength she instilled in me, the hopes for a better future, the possibilities for a kinder world, and the hard work to attain it.
Today is also my father's birthday. He was such an integral part of my life and my character. Intolerant almost of lies, of dishonesty, of unfair treatment, he transferred that to me. We shared a penchant for writing letters, for hearing others, open to refining viewpoints, but determined somehow, to improve this world of ours, as every Jew must do. Gone from us in 2005, I continue to ache for him, his advice, his love for the kids, the magic connections he had with them.
Today, we share the thoughts of them together, A fairy tale story of love, from ages 14 and 16, never looking elsewhere, they were together, for life, as one, through good times and bad, always there for us. Not perfect, for no human is, but enough imperfection to allow us room to laugh as we recall such moments. All this gives me the strength to combat the clouds of our eminently not so blue skies. Happy together is fading quickly. The blue of the sky is not as bright. My parents, who share this day as they shared their lives, remind us to never give up. They never did, and we definitely imbibed that sentiment from the first baby bottle!
However, before us is a long and difficult road. No resting on our laurels yet, the challenges remaining. We ask, at moments of despair, if we can truly make a dent in this confused and nasty world. We must make that effort.
A country pulverized, its citizens the targets of military actions, their enormous heroism in defense of their country.
The continual efforts to rend the rights of our Constitution, to counter the basis of our country. The extreme partisanship, its ugliness and the entitlement it seems to confer on some of the ugliest, meanest and most ignorant legislators I have ever seen.
The growth in open treason and insurrection among our legislators.
The coopting of our institutions of government, making a mockery of their purpose and actions.
The gross, obvious determination of the GOP to shred the rights of women, to repeal their equality under the law, to return to a time of barbaric thinking, and take away all independence and rights of all genders to determine their own lives and make their own decisions.
Antisemitism has increased in intensity and violence, with people being beat up, attacked, institutions sites of invasion and murder. Along with the demonization of Israel, thinking to hide antisemitism under the cover of anti - Zionism. Never. And Never Again.
Now I will sit back, page through albums, listen and hum along to "Happy Together", to "Imagine", to "Let It Be". To the new songs of the American Song Contest sch as "Sparrow" and "Beautiful World". All sing of the wistful hope for a better world, one for which we must strive to attain. One which contains that refreshing blue of friendly skies.
So, Mom, Pop, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Birthday. Know you both are loved and missed beyond the ability of words to express. Continue to look down upon us, for that assurance give us strength and courage. And Pop, don't be too hard on G-d in your debates and importuning for, demanding, a kinder world, for more aid from Him. Even as Mom picks up the Heavens, keeping them orderly and neat. Even the clouds look whiter. I am sure her spoonerisms keep the angels in gales of laughter.
Love you. Miss you. Help Us All.
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