Effie collected the kids from school and they walked home in the 28 degree (celsius) sunshine. What a glorious day! Gabi decided to use her cooking utensils to make a number of recipes comprising of water and flowers from our bouganvillia, the end result looking like a vintage Pinot Noir.
On the 10th we will be celebrating 'Purim' (פורים), which is probably one of the most joyous and festive of Jewish holidays. It is based on the bible's Book of Esther. For those of you who don't know, briefly Queen Esther was able to turn around a bad situation (i.e. plot by Haman to kill all Jews) into a victory. It is a day where everyone dresses up as part of the festivities. Ben & Gabi's school will have a Purim party and Maria is hoping to go. Ben suggested that Maria should dress up as "Mrs Frankenstein" and Effie as a "witch" (full of compliments my children are). Gabi even offered to find the most appropriate broomstick for Ef!
As explained by a dear local Jewish friend, this month (Adar) is the time of "Nahafoch Hu", which means "it turned around." Here's praying for such a situation.
Ben and I went for a drive to the hairdresser to get him looking more respectable. The hairdressers were sad to hear about Maria, and I felt there was additional sadness when they realised her beautiful hair had been partly removed (I suppose you have to be in that line of business to fully appreciate that).
Maria had a couple of visitors today. It pepped her up, but the brain stimulation tires her quickly. Tomorrow is church, after which the congregation will go to our dear friends' (Mark & Kathy's) home for "lunch and library". It is usually a pot-luck lunch where everyone brings a dish to share. Alternatively (as will be tomorrow's case), Mark prepares a huge main dish (chili or gumbo) and we bring the side dishes, drinks, desserts. The "library" component is the option for people to borrow a range of books and materials from a resource area (library) they have developed over time with departing members' donations. We're usually too full of food to make the trip up the stairs, or just occupied enjoying each others' company so much. Maria will skip church, but hopes to make an appearance at the lunch if she's up to it. The temperature could be anywhere from 28-33 degrees!
Maria and I spent time tonight chatting and praying on the bed before she planned to sleep. We discussed some very deep issues. Maria wanted to talk about how we would deal with a worse-case progonsis. Her strength and wisdom is something to behold. Although we are both naturally emotional when speaking of these things (especially when I turn my mind to the implications for the kids), neither of us feel angry about the situation. We instead look to see what good it may bring to others and how God will be glorified (not all of you will understand this). Anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves as Sunday is still two days away, although it feels like a month as time has really slowed for us.
Maria has just come down the stairs to join me (22:45). Looks like a sedative may be in order after all. On that note as it is after sunset on Friday, I'll sign off by wishing you a "Shabbat Shalom" (שבת שלום)
