Thirty years ago today, my mom became a mother and my dad became a father.
Twelve years ago today, a man I loved and planned to spend my life with proposed marriage. *sad smile* But planning only does so much. It was not until after my marriage was over -- after the Year of Hell, during which I tried to convince my ex that I could change enough -- that I realized that I should never have married him to begin with. Some patterns are only visible in hindsight.
I remember thinking about a year ago, that I had never expected to turn 30 and be divorced. Well, as it happens, I'm turning 30 and am not quite divorced yet (legally, anyway -- I am by Jewish law).
I was born on Pesach (yesterday was my birthday on the Jewish calendar, as it happens), a season of freedom. Mitzraim (Egypt) was a place of maytzar -- narrowness, constraint. (The word may be more familiar from Psalms 118:5, which is actually part of the Seder. Min ha maytzar karati kah, from the narrow places (or more colloquially, the depths of despair) I call out to God.) Pesach is about freeing ourselves from our personal Mitzrayims -- finding ways out of the traps we have fallen into. Or built for ourselves.
And some days I feel like I am making real progress at escaping from some of the narrow places in my life. Recently I started thinking that maybe -- just maybe -- I might be ready to start thinking about dating, once my divorce is final.
Recent events have made it clear that I have issues closer to home that need to be worked on first. *sigh* But I guess it's still progress that I'm considering making myself vulnerable that way again. And the very notion does make me rather panicky. While I don't much like the notion of being single indefinitely, I am terrified of finding myself divorced a second time.
And I am NEVER doing that again. Ever.
A bit over a year ago, I was avoiding pre-Pesach cleaning (an annual pastime, I tend to look for new ways to avoid the necessary cleaning each year ) and spent far more time online than I normally did. (Imagine! I used to not even go online to check my email some days! ) I had discovered Hatrack months before, but never ventured much past the front page. That day, I decided to check out the forums. Felt the need to reply to a thread . . . and y'all have hardly had any peace from me since.
I've always known I have a tendency to talk a lot -- too much, even -- but it's rather disconcerting to notice that many of the fairly active posters who joined Hatrack at about the same time I did are turning 3000. Eeep.
So when I realized a couple weeks ago that I was in danger of reaching 6000 before the birthday I was aiming to coincide with, I figured a bit of forced rationing of posts was good for me. Well, today I celebrate my freedom from post-hoarding.
Happy birthday to me!
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
happy day to you, rivka!
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
(((((Rivka))))) Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
Rivka? Are you still up?
Is TODAY your b-day or yesterday?
fallow
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Happy Birthday! What a great month for birthdays! Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
Shannon?
well-rested after last night's retreat?
fallow
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
(((rivka))) I am truly glad you're here. Happy Birthday.
edited because it's hard to spell at 3 in the morning.
[ April 09, 2004, 06:23 AM: Message edited by: Derrell ]
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
An official Happy Birthday Rivka! from the president of your fan club.
Hatrack can be a little intimidating at first for newbies - it certainly was when I got here. But you were always welcoming and kind and thoughtful, and I grew to always look out for your posts.
From what I've come to know of you, you're an amazing person, and certainly one of the reasons I've stuck around here. You are much loved and admired for who you are.
So here's to 6000 more posts, and many more years!
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Happy birthday, Rivka! And I wish you 6000 more posts! :-)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Ditto what imogen said.
Rivka, you're wonderful. And hilarious. And one of the kindest people I've ever met.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Rivka,
Does your birthday always fall during the week of Unleavened Bread? If so, does that mean you've never had a proper birthday cake?
Happy Birthday!
Farmgirl
Posted by Scythrop (Member # 5731) on :
Hey - happy birthday Rivka.
Imogen always summarises everything I want to say, and so nicely, too.
I wonder if she'd be interested in going on a date, sometime?
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :
Happy birthday :-) Satyagraha
Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
Happy birthday Rivka, and happy 6000! I'm hoping we'll have more "ask the rebbetzin" too - those were great!
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
Happy birhtday, Rivka !
(((rivka)))
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Happy B-Day, Rivka! You're definitely one of the people that keep me coming back to Hatrack.
Here's to 6000 more!
Dagonee
Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :
Happy b-day!
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Happy Birthday, m'lady, Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
6000 posts in one year? My god woman, you need a man.
At this rate you will pass up TomD in two years.
msquared
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Happy Birthday to one great gal! Thank you for the wonderful knowledge and insight you share with us, it's made us all better people!
Just gotta say, the year I turned 30 was the biggest and best year of my life. Here's hoping that yours will do the same or even better!
You're my favorite favorite Jewish Hatracker, I adore you to pieces! I'm so glad you're here, and 6000 is pretty impressive! *doesn't mention that rivka joined after her...*
*clink* Here's to 6000 more!
And... MAZEL TOV on your birthday! Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Happy Birthday, and I'm so glad you're here!
Three cheers for avoiding cleaning, it makes us new friends!
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
quote: You're my favorite favorite Jewish Hatracker, I adore you to pieces!
There's a lot of competition, too. Happy birthday, Rivka! (Rivka is trying to catch up to Bob and Tom.)
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Mazel Tov!
Happy Birthday, but 6000?
I swear you don't look a day over 4200.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Happy Birthday, Congratulations, and...I just can't find the right words to tell you how important you are to us. Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Happy Birthday, rivka! Happy 6,000th post! I hope you continue posting. I enjoy your posts. Glad to know you. Isn't nice to know productive procrastination is good for something.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Happy birthday, rivka! You are so great! How glad we all are that you found us, and that you share with us so much of your heart. Best wishes for your life, your love, and the next 6000, but never let anyone take you away from us. <<<<<hugs>>>>>
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I hate to play favorties, but Rivka - you're one of my favorites.
Happiest of birthdays!
Annie Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I guess I missed it, but Happy Birthday!
Can't imagine Hatrack without you.
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Happy birthday, happy 6000, and lotsa hugs from our house to yours, Rivka.
P.S. We have a lot of April/Pesach birthdays in our house.
**Ela**
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks so much, everyone! *basks in the love*
I wanted to clear up the confusion I inadvertently caused. My (English) birthday is today, April 9th. My Hebrew birthday (which I now share with my 2-year-old niece ) is the third day of Pesach -- which happened to land on April 8th this year.
And yes, Farmgirl, it does mean that my birthday cake is usually a Pesach cake. But Pesach cakes are often very good! My mom made a chocolate one this year.
Tony, for shame! Imogen is an engaged woman!
[Addit: Ela, so do we -- my dad's birthday is the first day of Pesach (and April 16th).]
[ April 09, 2004, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
Well, Happy Birthday Rivka!
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
Wow! Happy birthday! And congrats on 6K (!!!!)
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Happy Birthday, Rivka!
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
rivka, you realize at the rate you and Bob have historically posted, you'll catch up with him on July 13, 2009 with 35,654 posts?
Dagonee *Is quite obviously procrastinating on preparing his oral argument for tonight's persuasion class.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Um, no, Dagonee. I actually hadn't realized that. But it's good to know.
*marks calendar*
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Excel and boredom - a dangerous combination. Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Yay, Rivka!!!! You're one of my favorite people on Hatrack. I can't imagine the place without you.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear rivka, Happy Birthday to you!!
And congrats!
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Happy birthday, rivka. It's nice to have you around. Thanks for all the Scrabble games.
Hey, I've got some Hebrew language questions, but I don't want to hijack your thread. Should I just e-mail them to you?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Email is fine, or you could bump the rebbetzin thread, if you like. Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
I think I'll just send you an e-mail. I'm afraid it would hijack the rebbetzin thread and turn it into a debate.
Posted by Zotto! (Member # 4689) on :
RIVKA! The grand hug-mistress herself!
You're a Hatrack fixture in my head, and I can't picture this place without you. I'll never be able to repay the kindness that you've shown me since I joined, and you've helped me through some tough times.
Stay for at LEAST another 6000, alright?
And Happy Birthday. Posted by Yank (Member # 2514) on :
¡Feliz cumpleaños! (And also Mazel Tov).
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Yom Holedet Sameach! Yom Holedet Sameach! Yom Holedet Sameach, rivka! Yom Holedet Sameach! Rivka, you are one of the most wonderful people. Thank you so much for being you! You have welcomed this newbie with such open arms and have been a huge part in making my Hatrack experience special. I can't wait to meet you in June!
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Ha ha! One of the ads at the bottom said "Date sexy Jewish singles" or something like that. Now it's gone, though.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Happy Birthday, Rivka!
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
Happy Birthday, rivka!
It's already been said in this thread so much better than I can, but thanks for being here! People like you are one of the reasons I could never fully leave Hatrack. Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all that you have shared. I'm glad you're here with us!
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
rivka, Happy Happy Birthday. I am so honored to be one of your friends.
Only 1 year here? Good grief, it seems like you have been with Hatrack since the beginning.. You are that cool and that integral. Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :
Happy Birthday dearest rivka!
(Like Annie, I don't wish to play favorites, but like Annie says, you are one of my favorites *grin*)
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Happy Birthday Rivka!
You're the greatest! Posted by pajeba (Member # 5656) on :
Happy Birthday!! and congrats on 6000 - at the rate I'm going it will take me something like 18 ( ) more years to get there... I guess I need to pick up the pace
[ April 10, 2004, 01:35 AM: Message edited by: pajeba ]
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Belated happy birthday rivka!
I hope this signals an end to your period of Hatrack rationing. We need more graemlins and rivka on Hatrack. Posted by tt&t (Member # 5600) on :
(((((rivka))))) Happy birthday! Hope it was great!
As so many others have already said, I can't imagine Hatrack without you. It just wouldn't be RIGHT! You're just too nice, chatty, huggable and wise. AND you've visited NZ. You rock, dudette. Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Happy (belated) birthday, rivka! Things here wouldn't be the same without you.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Yay rivka!!! I'm so glad it's your birthday and I'm so glad that you're here. I hope that you receive all the beautiful things that life has to offer this year!!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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) and spent far more time online than I normally did. (Imagine! I used to not even go online to check my email some days! ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
) I had discovered Hatrack months before, but never ventured much past the front page. That day, I decided to check out the forums. Felt the need to reply to a thread . . . and y'all have hardly had any peace from me since.![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
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