A column

Greetings! I hope this column finds you healthy and happy. I hope this column finds you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. I hope this column finds you in a good mood. Really, I do. I wish all of you all that your hearts desire and that all of the wishes you want to come true, will come true.

What am I talking about? Why is she writing this? Well, since you asked, I will tell you.

Sometimes, I truly believe, people do not want what is best for us. I truly believe that. I know, it is sad, but have you been on the internet lately? This is a very bad place to be. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the mean comments on the Dansdeals Facebook page. Well, they have only gotten meaner and worse. Why, people? Why can’t we all just get along? Isn’t this the very reason why the temples were destroyed?

Someone posted about how his kid’s flight was canceled because of the war and now the family cannot go on a cruise. Now, this is a travel site, a site where people post questions about flights, and, I am assuming, deals. It is called Dansdeals, after all. This is not a site about politics or war or bomb shelters.

This poor guy was just looking for advice about how to get his kid home.

Well, let me tell you, the hateful vitriol that came at this guy was fast and furious. Come on people, can’t we all just get along? Of course he knows there is a war going on. Of course he knows that people have not slept in weeks, that kids have been finger painting on the walls out of boredom and frustration, that stores are running out of food, soldiers are risking their lives, people are dying. The guy just wanted to spend some quality time with his family because life is so short.

Every time I really think about what is going on in the world, it makes me realize that we are so small. We are just a blip in time. People will be writing books about what is going on now. Probably very long and boring books — books that my dad enjoyed reading — but books nonetheless.

Nowhere, in these books, will they write about Dansdeals and the guy whose cruise could not happen because his kid couldn’t get out of Israel. But that is his family’s story about what happened during the war. Just leave the guy alone.

Sorry, humor column. Did you hear the one about the rabbi, the priest, and the colorectal surgeon? Just kidding. I have no punch line for that. But I will tell you that Danish showed me the “Welcome Babka” sign she made for me. Now that is emotional blackmail.

And I will also tell you that I was with Strudel and her sisters the other day. We were playing with stickers, and one of them had an apple on it. I said to Strudel, “You are the apple of my eye, sweet girl.” And she looked at me with all the innocence and love in the world and said, “Is that something Pa used to say?”

At least I know someone is listening to me when I talk about my dad.

Yes, another column that is all over the place because it is a reflection of what is going on in the world and in my head. I am trying not to eat myself into oblivion because then I won’t be able to run to a shelter when I am in Israel. Yes, I am still hoping to get there. Despite the naysayers. When will I get back? Will Husband #1 and his mom make it there? Who knows.

Someone on Facebook (again, the source of all of my news) posted something that puts everything into perspective. We are all complaining about Pesach and canceled flights, and his son is wearing 50 pounds on his back and mud-covered boots on his feet. He’s in the army, defending our ability to have a country that is ours.

But we are Jews and we like to have something to complain about. Something to be negative about. Maybe we should all try to change a little. Unless, of course, you are perfect — and then just be you.

Until next time….

Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck wishes you all good health, laughter, and love. Her alter ego hopefully will return next week.

opinion