A Rosh Hashana Greeting

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues:

Here’s what’s new. I rarely watch the news on television. There is too much righteous rage, too much screaming and shaming. I can bear it no longer. I am also slow to comment one the same old Big Lies. Time for younger generations to take up the struggles, all those subjects that I have already written my heart out about, over and over again.

I still read as many articles as I can. The news is never good. I read more slowly, or so it seems, than before and it takes me longer to write something than it once did. Am I more careful or is this a phenomenon of aging?

Next week I will be 79 years old. I have lived longer than many dear, many great souls. I’ve published eighteen books and thousands of articles which have, hopefully, strengthened and enlightened others. My beloved son is now a judge whom I refer to as my “baby on the bench.” My daughter-in-law is the best mother on earth. They have gifted us with two delicious granddaughters who are beautiful, smart, saucy, energetic, funny, sensitive, and exceedingly clever.

I am certainly not done with my work. I have no intention of stopping. Regrets? Well, I’ve never qualified as a Navy Seal and now reluctantly accept that I probably never will.

This has been a very challenging year for me and I, for one, am glad to see it pass. I had to pack up both a writing studio and a home, live at a hotel for six months (I called it Hotel Horrible), while our apartment was being renovated. We returned to life in a construction site with a renovation going on right above me and simultaneously right outside my window.

Due to all this dislocation: The packing! The unpacking! The thousands of boxes!, (packing is not my strong suit), I have not been able to post many columns or link to important pieces online. I missed doing so terribly.

Here’s what I wish for us all: Considerably less hate in the world, less violence, better health, superb medical care, loving family, friends, and communities, great good luck, frequent opportunities to appreciate God’s natural splendors, more gratitude for what we each have, sympathy for the downtrodden, and the courage to bear witness to the truth.

Thank you for being in my life.

A Sweet Shana Tova,

Phyllis