It appears to be a case of chicken or egg. What came first or what is now the worst or are they in a Mephistophelesian draw? Rephrased- who is closer to the devil among these devil admirers and worshipers. Or is the truth to be found in another saying -"Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do?" Or, is the truth the exact opposite, as the truth proves inconvenient for these creeps and ignore it, deny it, in their wicked attempts to become the leader of a most twisted dystopian society right here in the good old USA? Whatever the answer, or abomination combination thereof, the consequence is frightening, beyond words.
Even more bitter for me and my family is the fact that all this ignorance and violence, all this newly invigorated antisemitism, the assumption of power by fascists, comes on a great patriotic day and a special one for us. See, all those fireworks of the Fourth? Not just for the country. Nope, they are for my mom's birthday, truly, born in the USA, born on The Fourth of July.
And why not? This country should celebrate every citizen, native or naturalized. Adult or young. Legal or not. Yes, the last one is also true. Think how many of our ancestors with great determination and hardship got themselves to a boat, paid for steerage transport and presented themselves to officials, and were allowed in. Yes, there were cases where it was rough, demeaning, even, denied entry, but there was no mass internment or huge numbers deported back to the Europe which had denied them, spit them out. My grandparents on both sides were accepted, their children born here, but my great grandmother was rejected, old and growing blind, despite my grandfather there to swear support for her. So yes, not perfect, and her fate was to die a brutal death at the hands of the murderous Nazis.
But then again, what is? This was the route for many into the dream of this nation. That is the most probable path of the progenitors of DeSantis even as he would deny the same for those determined and brave would be Americans who climbed mountains, waded through swamps, defied bandits, to achieve their goal of - America. The contributions of immigrants to this nation are enormous so why turn away more of it? It is stupid and counterproductive. Beyond words.
So, back to Mom. Raised by a deeply proud new American, a hero admirer of JFK - though she would certainly have rejected RFK Jr., traitor to all his parents and uncles stood for, the rejection of his grandfather's ideas. Thus, the patriotism of my parents, the pride in America, the ability to raise themselves from poverty, from the Depression to a good life. Not replete with wealth and privilege, but with goodness, with keen acknowledgement of their luck and the demands of being here, saved from the extermination hundreds of their families and millions of their extended families - six million plus of them. Never did my parents turn their back or re-call an extended hand to those new Americans. Nothing mattered other than their being good people, hardworking people, those who appreciated the opportunities granted them and their kids, even on a difficult path.
All teasing aside, my mother was pleased to have that special birthdate. We were simply pleased by every special day with her, no fireworks necessary. She would have been dismayed, not surprised, by the words of Holocaust denial by Roseanne Barr, a Jewish woman whose family was buried alive - literally - by the Nazis.
Like all mothers, mine was not perfect. She had her eccentricities which enabled us to laugh together even as we sat shiva for her, already a gaping hole never to be filled. She was a real, loving and beloved figure there for us, always on our side, yet always demanding we do our best, for that is the task of good people on this earth. To be able to stand before G-d in the final judgment, proud and tall, knowing we had been raised by a wonderful person and indeed, had done our best and raised children the same way.
So, Mommy, we miss you, more than words and tears can say. We remember you always, tell the grandchildren stories about you even as the older ones remember you with their own memories of you, always with love and laughter, always and forever a part of our lives, always, my Nelly.
Happy Birthday and I promise to do my best before this nation turns 250 years old in 2026, to help return it to the right track and move forward gracefully, loving and beloved by her citizens and a role model -just as you were and always will be to us. I love this nation when it tries to be its best.
I love you and know that together with us and all the good people who have joined us, we will keep Yitzy on his good and promising path to a future of goodness, contribution and love.
Together we can
HEAL THE WORLD.
HEAL YITZY!
Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah
May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu.
May he be granted a timely and complete healing.
May he always remain on the road of faith, healing and strength.
May we all walk on that same road.
May Hashem hear all our voices raised in prayer.
Amen. Amen.
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