In Appreciation for the Support of My LJ Friends Recently
THANKS A LOT, YOU GUYS!
Feeling a little bit philosphical today. Perhaps looking both back and forwards, taking account of events and trying to put everything into perspective. As I mentioned in my brief note yesterday, all went very well at both the synagogue ceremony and the afterparty on Saturday for my son's bar mitzvah. (The only near-meltdown was in the car afterward when my son insisted we drive to the nearest electronics store to buy a Sony Playstation3 NOW on the way home...we didn't. He was just overworked from the day's the excitement. The next day, he maturely decided to wait for the new 120G version since the 80Gs were sold out in our area, a complete reversal!) Part of my philosophical musings have been a real appreciation for my newfound friends here on LJ. Last night, within an hour of my posting the good news that things went well, fully a dozen wellwishing pals had posted "Mazel Tovs" congratulating my son and my family and me, and again about that many have since then. I've been on this site less than six months, and after having placed myself in virtual isolation from folks in my own personal world while I cared for my family for the last couple of years, the warmth and caring that so many of you guys have shown here (especially bigfundrew, brchase, cellboy, cublikeme, delmarmar, equus_albus, everinbluejeans, houjeepx, hungcub, mrdreamjeans, msclwolf, muddster, oceanlux, randomcub, sabearfan, shirtlifterbear, spatts5, wrascalbc, and xephyr_42) has really meant a lot to me, particularly during the time leading up the events of this past weekend. Not having to go it alone (or rather with just Jim and me) made it a LOT easier going. OK, I'm not gonna get TOO sappy (oops, too late!) but I really do appreciate it.
Long and short of the events themselves: my ex- belongs to a conservative synagogue in River Forest, IL. Two and a HALF hour ceremony. JEEEEZ! Most of it was in Hebrew. My son KICKED BUTT in his parts, he was great and did not stumble once. I was so very, very proud of him. Interestingly, my ex- sort of ran the show, which I understand is sort of Not Done usually in her temple, but she has rather of a strong personality, so although there were some male frowns and the Rabbi seemed uncomfortable at times, Mimi was the ring leader. Lots of standing (at least the Catholics get to kneel once in a while!) and not one, not two, but THREE Torah's (the Jews among you will understand that this is exceptional.) My son mentioned in his speech that since in Israel, you don't become a man (i.e. serve in the Army) until 20, he would see everyone back right there in seven years and faked walking off the stage. Perfect comic timing! Very funny, and particularly great for an autistic kid! The party went really well, too. There was a magician and a caricature artist (who did NOT capture Jim's handsomeness but did OK with me) And even I must admit that the Powerpoint was well received, overall. It was bizarre and ironic having to introduce it, but I wanted my son not to have to deal with discord and so I bowed to the wishes of my ex-wife. May she rest in pieces some day (not necessarily soon, of course.) She doesn't know it yet, but we're gonna be talkin' child support reduction soon: I think after thirty months of no reduction after I decreased my income 90%+, it's probably overdue. I wanted to get past all of this drama first.
The food was quite good, although they did run out early so that was unfortunate (not sure how that happened.) There was a full bar, although I resisted the temptation to tie one on (that's not really my style anyway, although I kinda earned it - not sure if my comments would have been better or worse.) There was an ice cream sundae bar and two kinds of great chocolate cake (both my ex- and my son are chocoholics.) Her office building is a pretty impressive brand new one, built last year near downtown Chicago and so that part worked out OK as well, although it was very much all about her, as we very much knew. Still, my son was very pleased that the DJ was a good one and he and all of his pals danced their butts off and he was, as usual, the limbo prince. There were only a few kids from the Hebrew school class that had been less than nice to him, and they were outnumbered by his classmates from his special school, so they were on their best behavior. My daughter was inexplicably quite inappropriately dressed in a low-cut turquoise evening-type gown that gave her cleavage she does not possess (apparently supplied by Kleenex) so I don't know what the hell was going on there. (My dear friend Kathy had warned me that this was going to happen - she and Mimi had conferred in advance - so at least I was forewarned but it was still rather awful.) God help me when my daughter goes through this process in November of '09. But for now, Jim and I are basking in the glow of a successful day!
Speaking of which, off to San Diego next Monday to Friday to hang at the clothing optional B&B and check out the nekkid gay beach at LaJolla (and others at Ocean Beach and whereever else my rented convertible directs me to stop.) Anybody in the area that wants to grab a beer or a bite, or have the luxury to journey to the beach on a weekday, let me know and I'll be very happy to make plans. And again, thanks one and all for keeping me afloat!