SCARED TO DEATH

Sometimes even the best ideas can turn into a nightmare. Friday night, my daughter phoned and asked to speak to her father.

'Sure,'I said and handed the phone over to my husband.

After speaking with her for a few moments he gave me back the phone.

'Hi, honey, how was the beach?'I asked as she and my youngest took off for the afternoon to the beach in Herzliya.

See, my youngest, Joe College is leaving on Thursday for four months study at Erasmus College in Rotterdam, Holland. The Hebrew U. Law School opened this program to third year students and he was accepted. Actually, he wanted Belgium and was next on the list but Holland is great too. Three kids are off to Holland, my kid and two girls he knows and together they have rented a place for the semester. Very expensive in Europe these days.

So, my kids, who are very close, decided to spend a few hours out of Jerusalem having fun and talking and just spending time together. They were always doing that as children, and how marvellous they still want to do that as young adults.

Anyway, after telling me what a marvellous time they had my daughter asked, 'Imma, did you put a birthday gift for me in my house this afternoon?'

'No.Besides, you gave my key to your neighbour, remember?'
'Oh,yes.'
'Why?'
'When I got home I found a stuffed animal and an incense burner next to my TV. Abba says it wasn't him. Who could it be from? And who got into my flat?'

That was the end of sleep for the weekend! She called everyone. No one had any idea. I already was ready to call out the police/vigilantes/bring her home to live...anything to keep her safe.

Every time I phoned her I made her a nervous wreck. Isn't that what mom's are supposed to do?

This morning she phoned.
'Imma, we found out who it was. It was Yossi, the guy who works for Abba. He couldn't
come paint my flat on Friday, and knew it was my birthday last week, so he bought me a gift and stuck it through the window.'

'I'll kill him!'Actually, that is what I thought but not what I said. What I said was something like 'Thank God!!!! How did you find out? What is the matter with him?'stuff like that.

Poor Yossi meant well. He wanted to give her something for her birthday and when he found she wasn't home, instead of waiting till Sunday...a regular working day here in Israel...he shoved it through the window. Now, Yossi cannot be the brightest light in the box, since he didn't think maybe it would be nice if he added a little note. Something simple like 'I am not a serial killer and I don't have a key to your flat.'

Would that have been too difficult?

At this point I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the following people who helped me get through this weekend: my brother Dovidle and his wife, Maeshey, Rena, Bubbie Channah, and Marianne. If I didn't have a heart attack or stand guard in front of her door for two days with a broom or something in my hand, it is due to your love, support and calmness. Well, all except for Rena...she is as nuts as I am. Sigh.

All's well that ends well. Hey that is a good title for a...

Shavuah tov...a sweet week.

Have a great day...stay safe...and thanks for dropping in.