posted
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!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
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!
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Happy birthday Rivka, and happy 6000! I'm hoping we'll have more "ask the rebbetzin" too - those were great!
Posts: 1550 | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
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! Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
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.)
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Happy Birthday, Congratulations, and...I just can't find the right words to tell you how important you are to us. Posts: 1090 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
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
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>>>>>
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
| IP: Logged |
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).]
posted
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?
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
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. Posts: 1595 | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
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!
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ha ha! One of the ads at the bottom said "Date sexy Jewish singles" or something like that. Now it's gone, though.
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) 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)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
