Sweepin The Clouds Away

At Shabbos lunch today my hosts pulled out this article that they'd clipped and saved because it struck them. I recommend watching the video version of the story. What thoughts or feelings does this story bring out in you?

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I spent Shabbos in a community that often has guest speakers. While called scholars in residence these rabbis are generally putting out a plug in a wealthy neighborhood. Pretty much every time I've been there there are speakers in one or more of the shuls representing an organization. Today someone spoke on behalf of Shalva. Kalman Samuels spoke about his son Yossi and his wife Malky His wife started Shalva as a way of thanking G-d for the amazing breakthrough that her son was blessed with, in keeping a promise she'd made years before. Samuels struck me as a very sincere man sharing facts that connected to genuine thoughts and beliefs. And Shalva sounds like a wonderful, much needed entity.

Sitting next to me during the talk was someone I grew up with who has a developmentally disabled son. He was so attentive and loving with his boy. And afterwards he brought him up so he and Rabbi Samuels could meet. And Rabbi Samuels was attentive and kind too.

For now I will sign off. Lately I've been saying that and then birthing a poem right before pushing publish. Here goes:

Sunny Days

.

.

I'm thinking of a story

about Holland by

Emily Perl Kingsley

.

Emily was headed for

Italy, where everyone

else seemed to fly to

.

When Emily landed

she was in Holland which

was actually pretty nice

.

And she learned to love

Holland's windmills and

Holland's different pace

.

She sometimes mourns

never getting to Italy

but not for too long

.

Her loss of Italy is real

but she lives in Holland

She cherishes Holland

.

She spun this tale to

explain what it's like

to raise a disabled child

.

And her story reminds me

that I must live where I land

and let go of my Italy

.

.

This poem was inspired by Welcome To Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley .