The adventures of a "Nebbach" - part 1

A few months back I made the decision that I was going to try and make a life for myself. Part of this "new life"was that I was going to get out more. Well this month I got out a lot more and had some unfortunate mishaps in achieving this goal. I have tried to make some sense out of it, but I can't so I have now decided I will try and laugh about it, rather than cry!

Episode 1 - on a day out with my parents we went to an indoor play area for kids. While I was there I asked my Dad to get me a coffee. He came back with a nice hot cup, and I took a few sips. Then I lost my concentration and spilt the nearly full cup over my legs. It was scalding hot, and really burnt. Baruch Hashem we were next door to our doctor's clinic, who treated me straight away. Even with 2 pairs of trousers on, I still ended with a small burn mark.

Episode 2 - recently there was a neighbourhood musical on in a hall in town. My neighbour had written the play and a few of my close friends were acting in it. So I was kind of obliged to go. On top of that I was also offered a free ticket. I went with a friend and sat through 3 hours of fun in a cold hall. Getting home was a bit of an ordeal - being shlepped into a taxi. On my return home I found that I had lost my gold wedding and engagement rings! The cold had made my fingers contract and they just fell off. Some calling round and search still hasn't turned them up.

I have accepted this loss as 'beshert', and as a 'kapparah' for something worse. After all, it is just a material loss, which in the bigger scheme of life is worth nothing at all.

Episode 3 - a friend was having a local bar mitzvah and wrote on the invitation, please come there are no steps. So shabbos morning I got dressed up, and my son Yehuda pushed me up the hill to take me there. Unfortunately there were 3 small steps to negotiate to get in - but we managed. It was a little crowded inside, but it was nice to see my friends. Coming down the steps, the wheelchair got stuck and I was tipped out to fall flat on my back on the pavement! Apart from the embarrassment, I got some nasty scrapes on my knee and arm.

Episode 4 - another friend was making a bar mitzvah in a wheelchair accessible hall. So, braving the cold weather I went out in an evening to wish her mazal tov. This time I managed a small loss, but it still bothered me nevertheless. I mislaid my cheap fingerless black gloves. The next day we called the hall and found out that all "lost and found" items were just thrown out in the garbage!

Well, by now I was feeling a real nebbach...Was it really worth going out if "disasters" were going to happen everytime?

Episode 5 - determined to break the pattern, I went to the 3rd bar mitzvah. This time, nothing happened....

So what can I get out of all these mishaps? No, I am not really a nebbach. But I hope there won't be a part 2 to this story. I just have to get on with life whatever happens, and take the "ups with the downs". I have just orderd a new engagement ring, so my short period of being "single" will end soon!

what it's like to be "OLD"

I guess a lot of people who reach their 40's ponder what it would be like to age and be old. Well, for me I don't need to worry as I already know what it's like to be "old".

I have also had the wonderful experience of spending 10 days as a resident of an old peoples home. A lovely place, but terrible care. At breakfast time, many old people were just falling asleep with their heads in the porridge and noone seemed to care. In the evening, some people were just abandoned in front of the TV.

Being "old" for me now is not being able to care for myself, constantly worrying about going to the bathroom and being too tired to go out and have fun. Also continual complaining and moaning about pain, and discussing medications with every person I meet.

So being "old" is not so terrible really - anyway with 3 kids under 10 I can't be a real Bubba!