blog-j: Symbolizing, Coding, Objectifying, Processing

Last night, in Montreal, my mom got engaged! Woohoo!
Very exciting - she’s been seeing her beau for about 6 months, and they are very happy together.
So, Mom, happy engagement! We’re are all so happy for you, and are excitedly looking forward to the wedding!
Now I’ve just got to get this up on OnlySimchas.com…

Speaking of which…I should probably post Phillip’s birth on there. Ah well…you know the saying about the shoe-makers children…

Driving in to work today, I found myself crying.
Why, you ask?
On the radio were numerous clips of people discussing Rememberance Day, November 11th, on which we pause to remember those we fought for the world’s freedom in World War I and II.
As I listened, I thought of all the family I could have had, and the family I am blessed to have. My grandfather narrowly got out of Germany before WWII, and my great-aunt (my grandfather’s sister) survived the concentration camps. The rest of their family perished in the camps. And I thought of how lucky I am now, to be raising a child in a society where he doesn’t have to live with the fear my grandfather’s family lived with.
It is so important that we not only remember the horror and tragedy of the wars, but that we remember that our freedom and prosperity today is a direct result of all those who chose to fight for those ideals. We must teach our children (and our children’s children) the value of freedom, and of life. And we must teach them that those ideals are worth fighting for.
Let us remember all those who died to give us the blessings and opportunities we have today.
And let us never forget those who perished because of those who sought to destroy those ideals.