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1985-2010
I think I should have made a disclaimer earlier. When I wrote of my early years there was no one to differ or be upset with my recollection of events. But my recording of my memory of events that occurred during the lifetime of my children and others raises the potential that they may have very different recollection of events. On the very first page of my web site I stated that “- - - I will relate what I remember”. It perhaps needs to be emphasized that these are my memories and they may not always be objective or accurate.
Rose and I had reached a comfortable stage of life. She was working at home and was now using a computer, supplied by the company that she worked for, to type the name and addresses for mass mailings. I had established a reputation at work as an expert in my field and was able to rely more and more on the engineers and technicians who reported to me. Our income was more than enough for our life style. Each year we would travel to Israel to visit with Chana, Asher and their children and we would also visit Cleveland to see Sharon, Eliezer and their kids.
I had a debate with myself on how to cover this next stage of our lives. It is too painful to go into details of the medical problems that afflicted Rose for the next thirteen years of her life. And I’m not sure what purpose it would serve. I will be brief in describing Rose’s medical problems that resulted from undetected diabetes.
It started off seemingly harmless when Rose began to have problems with her vision in 1989. Thinking that she needed new eye glasses she went to the optometrist. As a result of his examination he recommended that she see an ophthalmologist. That started a long road of laser treatments to halt the decrease in her vision which was only partially successful. We evaluated our financial situation and decided that I could retire. This enabled me to help Rose with those things that were hard for her to accomplish on her own and to be available to take her for the various doctor visits. So in January 1990 I retired from Con Edison after 26 plus years of service.
After I retired we took advantage of the situation and together with my father we went to Israel for Pesach in 1990. We remained to celebrate Shimon’s Bar Mitzvah on Lag B’omer. For the occasion we arranged for the Posner’s and the Cleveland Balansons to come to Israel and share in the Simcha.
From this point on until 2002 Rose had surgery for detached retinas and leg ulcers, and treatments for kidney and heart problems. She also suffered from an allergic reaction to some medication and it was never determined definitively which one. We were visiting doctors every week. Nevertheless life continued and we tried to do as much as possible. We continued to visit Israel every year. The last visit was in 1999 for the wedding of Shimon and Gitty Balanson. And the last time that we traveled for a Simcha was in May of 2002 when we drove by car with Estelle and Elanna to Cleveland for the wedding of Shimshon and Rachael Balanson.
We put off celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary because Rose wasn’t feeling well. And we put off celebrating the birth of our first great grandchild, Moti, the son of Shimon and Gitty. We anticipated celebrating when Rose felt better. We owe a debt of gratitude to Shim and Gitty for allowing Tzippi to bring Moti to visit with us so that Rose could see and play with her great grandson, Moti.
On November 11 2002, ו′ כסלו תשס"ג, Rose passed away during an invasive but relatively low risk procedure, angioplasty. This was the end of the final chapter in our book of life and the end of 52 Years of marriage.
In August of 2003 I got a condolence call from an old friend that Rose and I knew from our teen age years, Sandra Stauber Gedalowitz. One thing led to another and in December of 2003 we were married. We married because we were in love with each other.
I will now put on my hat of the old philosopher. Love can be lasting or it can erode. The best is when love grows and flourishes for the lifetime of the two individuals. If love is static it can still lead to a satisfactory arrangement when the couple shares the joys and sorrows of life. And finally love can begin to erode when the two personalities clash frequently. Sandra and I are very, very, different. Initially we had a wonderful time together but after a while the difference in our personalities took its toll in misunderstandings and arguments. We have been separated for about three years. She doesn’t want to accept a “get” so we are still legally married. There has been no communication between us for the last two years.
In July of 2009 I had a total replacement of my right hip which was causing me pain as a result of arthritis. The surgeon had advised me that six weeks after surgery I would walk without a limp, without pain and cane. Unfortunately, at this writing it is eight months after the surgery and his “promise” has not been fulfilled. Generally, I can walk in the house without a cane and essentially without pain. But my gait is not comfortable. For any distance I have to use a cane. Usually it is without pain although the walk is not fluid or comfortable.
I realize that there are many incidents in my life that I have not mentioned. Perhaps at some later date I will go back and insert events some of which were important. But for the time being this is my history. I will continue to add current events on the first page and add pictures there or in the Picture Gallery. There is also a possibility that I will arrange to have this history translated into Hebrew so that my Israeli grandchildren will find it easier to read.
For now I look forward to tomorrow’s sun rise and the ones after that.
For now;
The end