For a brief shining moment

I was warm. :) I was walking around outside enjoying the sun. I could see grass under my feet instead of snow and ice. Most of you know that I have been on vacation for the last week. I was in sunny Florida, enjoying the beaches, the warm weather, the company of family and friends and of course the food. Where'd we go? DQ, a sushi restaurant, a chinese restaurant, pizza, subs, coffee shops (I hate the coffee, but there was other food like bagels and muffins and such), we even visited a wine and cheese shop. Now I'm not a wine drinker, but the wife is. And we both like cheese and there was tapas and empanadas too. Oh what else, ice cream and cookies of course.

It was really nice to get away from the stress of work and non rent paying tenants and just enjoy one another's company. It's a rare treat that the wife and I get to spend large amounts of time together. Both of us are extremely busy with work (she has 2 jobs) and after work activites: shul, choir rehearsals, klezmer rehearsals, committee meetings, volleyball, etc. For a few days, we were able to put all that behind and just be together. And it was really refreshing.

There were a couple poignant moments in our travels as we realized we wouldn't be bringing back any souveniers or gifts for my wife's mother. I didn't dwell on them too long. I think she would have enjoyed hearing about our vacation and what all we did and our visit with our friends and family. Part of me wonders if she already knows what we did. Perhaps she can see us from heaven and is pleased that we had a good time. I would like to think so, but, really, who knows?

Nu, a good vacation. Praise God for the time off and a chance to recharge the batteries and especially to enjoy the warmth, even for a brief, shining moment.