“It’s just hair. It will grow back.” I’m suffocated by my own silence. I don’t talk to people, mostly text. It feels like using my voice requires too much energy these days. We went to a consultation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering on May 1. The doctor there strongly suggested adding chemo to the follow-up treatment. I … Continue reading A C-word journey. Second installment
Category: English
A C-word journey. First impressions
I’ve been having mammograms for a decade and never had any trepidation about it. No family history or known risk factors. January 11th, 2023 pushed the preliminary pause button on my life with a mammogram that required biopsy. January 27th pushed the actual pause button with one sentence: “I’m so sorry, but your biopsy came … Continue reading A C-word journey. First impressions
Lamentations of an Orthodox Night Owl
Season 2, Episode 2 of Modern Love "The Night Girl Finds a Day Boy" features the story of Zoe, a night owl, and Jordan, a normal 9-to-5 guy (schoolteacher) falling in love, facing the challenges of their different schedules. The episode is based on a New York Times essay written by Amanda Gefter. The author, who … Continue reading Lamentations of an Orthodox Night Owl
March, Revisited
It’s been a strange year, with its unexpected highs and unimaginable lows, and everything in between. It still is, as nothing has been resolved, nothing is settled. And yet, there is a sense of slow awakening around. Things have changed, shifted, moved. Sometimes it feels as if everything is spinning so fast, you can hardly … Continue reading March, Revisited
October Light
October, a dance of light and color. The green becomes orange, then red, then deep burgundy. The trees are still till the ray of sun touches the leaves and the dance begins. It’s playful, it’s joyful, it’s powerful. It’s not the innocent joy of youth, it’s a mature joy of experience. Not as bright as … Continue reading October Light
Rejoice in the Now
In meditation, I received a message: “rejoice in the now”. There have been many “now’s” that I consider a gift, or a sign, or a miracle. I rejoice breathing in the air of a summery night, standing on my patio, looking at the vast starry sky. Some stars are large and bright, others are small … Continue reading Rejoice in the Now
The Times of Lily-of-the-Valley
In memory of Dr. Norman E. Wengert I am barely done grieving the end of my lilacs and I’m fully immersed in the coming of lily-of-the-valley. White bells on a seemingly fragile stem, surrounded by green leaves: the sight of innocence and perfection. Their scent is sweet, delicate, yet powerful. They may end up in … Continue reading The Times of Lily-of-the-Valley
Three Seasons
For many years now, my life’s calendar revolves around the three seasons: fall semester, spring semester and the summer. The Fall semester starts when everything is still green, full, warm, blooming. Slowly the leaves begin to turn yellow, then orange, then red or gold. The air is soothing with the sense of abundance, beckoning the … Continue reading Three Seasons
From Geneva to Montreux
Getting off the plane in Geneva, I expected to encounter a city that reigns international affairs, business, and education. My first impression was instead of a seaside resort. The air was warm and inviting. The relaxing atmosphere seemed to order the visitors to take it easy ‘there is plenty of time,’ it seemed to say, … Continue reading From Geneva to Montreux
Autumn
Autumn-- leaves of all colors are everywhere. Still on the trees, on the grounds, on the bushes, cars, chairs and benches. I was walking on campus one day, towards one of my favorite spots, surrounded by beautiful trees. Under the old, gorgeous yellow-golden maple, a young woman was sitting on a bench. I couldn’t see … Continue reading Autumn