Page 5 - Boca ViewPointe - January '24

January 2024 Viewpointe, Page 5
My Great-Grandson Is Helping Me Grow

By Robert W. Goldfarb our feelings known in a world changing rapidly around us. Bob’s articles have appeared in The New York Times,
My great-grandson and I share something even more The San Francisco Chronicle and in Next Avenue, the
Although my first great-grandchild and I are at vastly complex. He now realizes people and objects continue to exist publication of the Public Broadcasting Service. His book,
different mileposts on our journey through life, we are even when he can’t see them. The lost toy that once existed only “What’s Stopping Me From Getting Ahead?” was published
confronting very similar challenges on that journey. He’s eight when he held it hasn’t vanished. He now knows it’s probably by McGraw Hill and is in five languages. 
months old and I’m 94 years old. I’ve lived nearly three times under his blanket or on the floor. He no longer cries the instant
as many years as he’s lived weeks. But watching him struggle to he’s aware his parents aren’t with him. It’s safe to assume they
pull himself erect in his crib seems no different than my struggle haven’t vanished and will be back. IMDA Remembers from page 4
to stand after kneeling on the floor. Too many people in my life have vanished. My memories
Even more similar are our emotional responses to boundaries of them are so vivid it’s impossible to believe they will never their relatives. To the IDF soldiers and officers, get home
we encounter. His mother – my granddaughter – describes his return. Amari and I are learning to trust that those we love will safe – together we will win – Happy Maccabees’ holiday.”
frustration when he can’t duplicate a leap he’s made. Among his always be with us, his to touch, mine to hold deep within my Israeli soccer Union Chairman, Shino Zuaretz
emerging skills is crawling. Frustration is the chair that stands soul. commented “Amit’s story is based on the noble values
between him and his path. My frustration is directed not at a Seeing Amari’s possibilities flourish while mine are growing that the beautiful State of Israel is based on. Amit made
chair but at being told I must change my password. sparse surprisingly hasn’t depressed me. That my great-grandson sure to do all she could for the greater good even when
The worlds Amari and I live in could not be more different, and I are on a journey together floods me with joy. Amari’s it meant risking her life. Not many people can put the
but both are being shaken by change. Weeks ago, his entire world willingness to pull himself up knowing he hasn’t yet learned greater good ahead of their own, even less in front of
was his mother whose presence left little room for anything else. to sit down takes courage. That courage has inspired me to take their own lives. Their deaths command us to live, and
Now his vision is expanding to reveal there are things and people risks I had been cautioned to avoid. I’ll soon make my third trip we should never forget even for a moment their devotion
in what had been the blurry space behind her. His tranquil world to San Francisco to see him, a five-hour flight friends tell me is and love for the other and if we don’t make sure we are
is becoming bigger and puzzling. My world is also puzzling, not too long for someone my age. better people, for them and their memory.”
because it’s growing but because it is shrinking. People who once One of my daughters once compared me to an oak tree that MDA Director General Eli Bin commented “During
filled my world have gone to assisted living or to darker places. towered over our garden. I find myself thinking of Amari and the morning of October 7th a call was received in the
As friends have slipped away, I’m having difficulty me as trees. He’s a sapling, springing higher after the briefest MDA dispatch center from Amit, the Negev Region
communicating with acquaintances far younger than I who passing shower. I’m more like that old oak tree whose growth paramedic who reported she is treating casualties in
assume I’m familiar with people and events I’ve never heard is too slight to measure. But, just to remain standing reassures Be’eri’s clinic. For many hours Amit continued to report
of. I now understand why Amari cries when his attempts to me I am deeply rooted and still growing. The very presence of and each one was professional, accurate and optimistic,
communicate are not understood. He must wonder why they my great-grandson nourishes those roots and the tree they hold as if the storm raining around her was not affecting her.
keep trying to feed him when he isn’t hungry. It’s not food he fast. Just knowing we are together on our journeys fills me with Those who knew Amit weren’t surprised from the way
wants, but his warm sweater! The two of us struggle to make confidence that if this small being can grow, so can I. she operated that day, from her dedication to save lives
and from the fact she put the welfare of others ahead
of her own. Because that was Amit Mann – the lovely
paramedic, partner, sister and daughter. May her memory
be blessed.”

Do you know a family member,
friend or a neighbor in need of
Home Health Care?

As the fabric of our noble cause, your involvement
can take many forms. From sponsoring urgently needed
ambulances to contributing essential emergency medical
Home Health Aides / Certified Nursing Assistants / Registered Nurses to assist you with: equipment, or even supporting the ongoing training of our
paramedics—the current and future saviors of Israel—
• Personal Care • Companionship • Respite Care • Alzheimers & Dementia Care every gesture has the power to make an impact.
• Medication Management • Transportation • Meal Preparation In times of crisis, Israelis place their trust in Magen
• Light Housekeeping • Grocery Shopping • Post Surgery Care David Adom to be a steadfast presence, ready to
answer the call. And in turn, MDA depends on devoted
communities like yours and people like you to fortify our
Complimentary In-Home Consultation emergency preparedness. This invaluable partnership,
forged since 1930, has transformed MDA into the world’s
Care provided in the comfort of your Home, Hospital, or Facility preeminent and proficient Emergency Medical System.
To explore these opportunities, please reach out
We accept All Long Term Care Insurance Policies and Private Pay – Affordable Rates to Yishai Mizrahi, the Area Director for American
Friends of Magen David Adom in Boca Raton/Delray
Family owned and operated. Boca Resident for 30+ years and Boca Pointe Members. Beach, at 561.288.5658 or via email at YMizrahi@
afmda.org.
CALL TODAY: 561.740.8667 Your dedication is immeasurable, and we are
www.auracalshc.com forever grateful. Wishing you a wonderful, safe and
Florida Licensed and Insured NR# 30211558, NR# 30211706 smooth New Year. Am Yisrael Chai. 

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