I almost didn’t publish this post today. At some point, I will write more about what these past 72 hours have been like. Not to overstate my troubles in the context of people going through awful things in real life (IRL), but the unexpected tsunami I unleashed with my comments about the worship of sports stars on The Today Show has been quite something to behold. Not to understate those who have agreed or disagreed with me calmly and with respect but there has also been a savage, vicious, ugly level of hate aimed at me from those who I don’t usually come across around here or on Twitter or Facebook.
Enough about that. The Mamamia team have convinced me to soldier on with this post and I think they’re right.
So here we go. In comments, it’s your turn to say anything you like about anything on your mind (OMM, in case you’re wondering is ‘On My Mind’).
Stretching
I hold my tension in my neck and shoulders when I’m stressed. Here I am trying to stretch it out…..while inadvertantly flashing a bit of knicker.
Many of you have asked us what you can do now in Leiby’s memory, and how you can help us find comfort. Looking back at Leiby’s all-too-short years among us, here are a few ideas:
Acts of unity and lovingkindness. Let us perpetuate the feeling of collective responsibility and love expressed during the search for Leiby. An additional act of kindness toward your neighbor, or to those less fortunate than you, can go a long, long way toward perfecting our world. Putting a couple of coins into a charity box daily is one way of tangibly expressing that lovingkindness.
Gratitude. Leiby deeply cherished his siddur, his prayerbook, and praying to G‑d meant the world to him. He was known by his teachers for his concentration in prayer, always being the last to finish. In Leiby’s memory, when you wake up each morning take a few moments to pray and reflect and thank G‑d for giving us life (“Modeh Ani” in the prayerbook).
Light. Every Friday evening our family sits down together for Shabbat dinner to the light of the Shabbat candles. A candle shines for each of our children—and Leiby’s candle will always be included. On Friday evening, please give a few coins to charity and light the candles before sunset with our beloved Leiby in mind.
Memorial fund. Together with Rabbi Binyamin Eisenberger, we have established a memorial fund to help people in dire need (www.leibykletzkymemorialfund.com), to channel the lovingkindness shown to us and our dear Leiby toward many, many others in need. We welcome your participation.
From the deepest place in our hearts, we thank you all for your help, your support and your prayers. May Leiby’s soul live on as a blessing inside each and every one of you.
Sincerely, Nachman and Itta Kletzky
The nail polish
A bunch of new nail polishes arrived in the office from Kit and Bloom (their Sass & Bide collaboration). Lana and Nicky did a road test…..
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The cupcakes
Another day, another birthday and Lana got busy baking.
Reading this article about Posh Spice having a Caesarean made me a bit nuts this week:
Victoria Beckham and little Harper Seven
Criticised for being “too posh to push”, Victoria Beckham became the latest star to come under fire for sending the wrong message to pregnant women following her fourth caesarean this month, for daughter Harper Seven.
Hannah Dahlen, assistant professor of midwifery at the University of Western Sydney, said it was a worrying trend and that serious complications could arise from having more than two caesareans.
The key point here is “has never discussed the reasons behind it”. Should she have to? Branding her ‘too posh to push‘ is unfair and further stigmatises any woman who has a caesarean – either by choice or necessity. Enough.
