Tonight at sundown I will light the memorial candle for my POPS.  Tonight begins the 24 hours of his yarzheit, the anniversary of someone’s death, especially a parent’s, in the Jewish religion.  The remembrance is based on the Hebrew Calendar and not the Georgian Calendar that we typically live each day by.  It was on, February 3, 2004, late at night when my mother called me to share the sad news that my father had died.  That was also the night of our, Rich’s and mine, twentieth wedding anniversary, the Hebrew date is, Shevat 10, 5779.  I will never forget.

My dad was loved by many, and he has always held a special place in my heart.  Sadly for many years, I assumed my father was mad at me when he came home from work at night.  If he walked in the door without a smile on his face, my Jewish guilt set in, assuming I had done something to upset or disappoint him.  The reality was my father very rarely was mad at anyone, and even if he was, he got over it quickly, apologizing often.  I think that was one of the reasons he was liked (and loved) by many.

My father was a dreamer, and he wrote of his dreams using poetic rhyme and license.  For every occasion, there were poems and odes written for my mother, my brothers, myself as well as our partners, children and friends, and relatives.  I have boxes of his writings that my mother lept, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will enjoy reading and learning so much about this husband and wife team that survived so much.

In ways, my parents were lucky, as American citizens, first and second generation they unlike many of their friends were not exposed first hand to Nazi Germany.  My father was identified as F4 and again unlike other family members and his friends he was stateside during World War II, and the story goes he felt guilty that he could not do his part.  But he worked in the war plant in Detroit, Michigan and supported his brothers overseas, staying strong for their wives and families as they faced the unknown for years.

My father’s health issues could have plagued him for life, but he fought through the pain and the limitations of Scarlet Fever as a child.  Dad was one of the early heart by-pass patients at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan when by-pass surgery took weeks and months of recovery, and that was in 1974.  In fact, almost 30 years to the day of his death.  My POPs taught my brother’s and I some very important lessons that included not to take life for granted to make the most of each day, to ask for forgiveness, and mean it, and make every attempt to be better today than yesterday.

In the last month or so of his life, he called his kids, my brothers and I daily, he never said good-bye, but it almost became a ritual one that I thought would go on forever, but nothing does!  Forever will only go on in my memories of the loving man he was and how he adored my mother, his D’Vasha, the honey of his life.  My father was convinced by his mother, grandma Jen to ask my mother out after they met at a wedding.  Grandma Jen thought my mother would be a great catch for him, and although my mother hesitated to accept, once she did it was “farvorfn,” forever!  When my father passed away on February 3, 2004, they had been married 63 years and counting.  My mother survived my dad by twelve years; she continued to love her Harmon till the day she died, and now she is resting by his side.

I was blessed to have my parents in my life despite the fact that like many, I did not appreciate them all the time.  But today as I prepare to say the Mourner’s Prayer, I am sending out a message to all of you, appreciate the love of family and friends.  Hold on to moments and create memories to bring you sunshine on a cloudy day.  No tears for my father, just a smile of loving appreciation for all he gave me, his love!

As I end the year and begin a new, I want to thank you the listeners, the podcasters, our sponsors and all my friends and family for allowing me to share with you this past year.  I am looking forward to some new journeys in 2019, and I ask for your support as I Believe I CAN do Anything I set my Heart on.  My Heart is set to enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

It came from out of nowhere – the feeling of something is wrong, but why and what.  Sitting at my desk reviewing Facebook post and emails before heading off to the gym, this wave of ANXIETY hit!  I could feel a low ebbing tidal wave approach, and I got up and said to myself, why now?  This happened to me about five years ago during the winter of 2013, and I tumbled fast into a pit of despair!  It took months of medication trials, a change of work scenery and getting my physical and emotional side to come to terms with the word DEPRESSION.  DEPRESSION sucks!  It is not something we choose, and often it sneaks up on us, and we are aware of the chemical both inside and out changes that are occurring.  I can say all I want I will not go there, and this time I will fight like a warrior to stop this flood up unknown feelings!

Please do not tell me or anyone else you know who may experience this malady to get over it; they can’t just do anything, they will need to work through it as I will too.  What works for me may not be the same course of action for another, but you must accept and tolerate that what we feel is real even if it is unexplainable.  Some like myself may pretend to be ‘OK,’ well others will take refuge in solitary personal confinement.  Sadly some will turn to self-medicate, beware and know you may need to pick up the pieces.  I will work through this maze of discomfort through self-talk, journaling, sharing my voice out loud so I may hear my thoughts through a different filter.

Bruno Mars sings:  “Is it strange that i talk to my self (oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Is it weird when I hear someone else (oh oh oh oh oh oh)
what do I do (what do I do)
There’s no more you (There’s no more you)
And I tell me you’ll be coming home (coming home)
Is it strange I believe them again (oh oh oh)
Voices in my head, the voices, the voices
Voices in my head.”[1]

Although Bruno wrote this as a love song, the refrain says it all; we allow an inner voice to invade us and tell us what may or may not be true.  Through my podcasting with Candace Pollock[2], the Intentionality Gurus has taught me to be more intentional in my thinking.  When this wave of anxiety or uncertainty hits me in the gut, it is time to take a deep breath and focus and cleanse the demons out.  It may not be easy, and along the path, I may stumble and fall, but I will get back up, I will stand tall.[3]

[1] Read more: Bruno Mars – Voices In My Head Lyrics | MetroLyrics

[2] https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-intentionality-gurus-with-candace-po

[3]To prove or display one’s pride, confidence, or fortitude.

December 22, 2018, and now the days will begin to feel longer as we will experience more sunlight (daylight) now that the winter solstice has just passed. In years past I had allowed the doom of gloom of darker days change my moods without forethought of controlling the emotions that spring from the change in the seasons from warm to cool to cold which often means days were turning into nighttime when just weeks before nighttime was much later!

We still experience 24 hours in each day however our tilt in North America is farthest from the sun in the fall/winter, and for many, we experience a phenomenon that makes us think our days are shorter when it, in fact, is not, but the light of day is! The winter blues for many kicks in before the solstice and hangs on for many for another few months. There is a medical name for this called, SAD, seasonal affective disorder, often felt by the middle-agers as well as the senior population, of which I am one.

Yesterday during a podcast with Candace Pollock, The Intentionality Gurus, I expressed to her that this is the first year I have self-talked myself out of SAD. I have made an intentional choice not to hide and hunker down when the darkness invades my daytime hours. The decision to participate in life is essential for my happiness. You’ve heard the saying, “When mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” But when momma is happy she spreads sunshine:

“Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face.”

THANK YOU, Charlie Wiener, for a magnificent read – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42684951-carrie-come-to-me-smiling

I am 2/3 through the book and although I want to get to the end of it, I don’t want it to end.  Carrie is such a delight despite the fact she doesn’t know how positive and special she is.  However, I want to thank this character for giving me the courage to look at the beauty in life and not let the pain from yesterday destroy my today or my tomorrow’s.  We are brought to the earth for a purpose and it is up to each of us to make it the best not just for ourselves but all that we touch.  Charlie, you have done that in the name of  K Adrian Zonneville – I am blessed to know you!

Dear Friends:

Have you heard of a house concert?  Did you know it’s possible to entertain friends, family and get to know your neighbors in your home (like the good old days) with live professional entertainment?  Although not a new concept it is getting more attention.  Newclevelandradio.net wants to begin driving this force to your home, community room, church, synagogue, or small intimate setting.

This is how it’s done, we will help you line up the musical entertainment that will play acoustically in your home, no speakers just the performers, their instruments and voices.  Most concert entertainers would like to have a minimum of 10 -20 people in attendance at a minimum ticket price of $10 – $15.  You as the host can pay the cost and have your audience bring food to share and nosh or as most do, sell tickets in advance to secure the fee and serve a light snack, dessert and beverages.

The advantage of a house concert is to be up close and comfortable with the performer and participate in the music in a casual atmosphere.  House concerts may include comedians and or music entertainers.  So, who is in?  Please contact Karen @ newclevelandradio@gmail.com.

I will be arranging a small gathering for late January – performer to be announced- our condo has limited room, however, we will sell tickets for 20 so the performer we feature will make a minimum of $200 for the night.  That means ticket prices will be $10 per person for a night of entertainment and friendship.

Keep watching for more information and let us know if you want to plan an event.

I want to share a positive medical experience with all of you.  Seven years ago, I started wearing hearing aids.  After an ENT Specialist (who will remain un-named) botched my ear surgery when removing a mastoid.  “Although most people with mastoiditis don’t experience serious complications, treatment isn’t always easy and the infection may come back. If the mastoid bone is severely infected and isn’t removed, it can cause hearing loss and life-threatening health complications such as: a blood clot. meningitis.”  Not only did he not repair the ear properly, but I also lost my hearing and had numerous infections following the surgery which he chose to ignore!  In the other ear, he removed a tube that was needed for drainage, increasing the size of the hole into my eardrum that also resulted in hearing loss.  A special thanks to Dr. Thomas Abelson who got me through this terrible situation and lead me to the audiology department at Cleveland Clinic where through numerous trials and errors of getting the aids to fit and work for my mixed loss between Dr. Sheryl Booher and Dr. Tina Marks, I have been comfortably wearing my hearing aids since.  However, hearing aids do not last forever and with the changes in technology and the cost to fix my current ones, it was determined I needed new hearing aids.

This past year my husband and I chose a Medicare Supplemental plan based on hearing aid coverage and although it was not a huge allowance it would have been beneficial.  However, after weeks of trying to get an appointment and talk to knowledgeable people, I learned I would not be saving any money because every follow-up visit would cost me $100.  Also, no one would answer the question as to how they fitted the hearing aids as well as adjusted them and most people in the know suggested that they were poor quality.

Cleveland Clinic does not have a payment plan and spending $6000 is not just a drop in the bucket.  I did my research and made an appointment at HearWright Audiology.  I have seen the commercials on TV with local celebrity Don Webster.  I am so pleased I chose them.  Dr. Alyssa Meier spent quality time with me (and my husband) as she reviewed a current hearing test from Cleveland Clinic.  She unlike others I called felt confident in the results as do I.  In fact, she trained at CCF under Dr. Tina Marks.  She also is familiar with Dr. Tom Ableson and my ear surgeon (the doctor who repaired much of the damage to my ear in a second surgery), Dr. Thomas Haberkamp.

In addition to her professional expertise and kindness, the office administrator Jan is one of the nicest friendliest individuals I have met in a medical facility in a very long time.  Not only is she efficient, but she also takes her time with you when you call in staying relaxed and calm, and helpful.  Although it may be her job, she connects as a caring friendly person!  (Do I sound surprised?  I am because you don’t see this in many places of business today.)

I am sharing this with you despite all the bad and sad news on TV, Radio and in the print media, there are good things happening because there are good people in our society.  Sometimes we have to look for it, and other times it is right in front of us.

Have a blessed day, and soon my hearing aids will be so crystal clear I will be smiling brighter once again.

Attention one and all…if you knew Charlie Eble, now is your opportunity to share your stories.  May 19, 2019, the Mayor of Saratoga Springs has claimed as Charlie Eble Day.  Look for more information through our website, podcasts and social media outlets.  All I will say at this moment in time, starting next week I would like to do a weekly podcast leading up to May 19^th and get you involved.  What did Charlie mean to you?  What do you miss most about him?  If you had one more opportunity to tell him something what would it be?

Charlie was exceptional, and I doubt he even knew how special and loved he was and still is!  An enormous thanks to Sarah Craig and Joel Moss for taking the mission of Alex Hale and newclevelandradio.net to the next step.  I can hear Charlie’s voice now telling my son Alex, your work has just begun, and so has mine.

If you have not listened to Care Notes a bi-weekly podcast sponsored by Cherished Companions, I want to recommend that you take the time to listen.  https://www.spreaker.com/show/care-notes-from-cherish-companion-s

“Cherished Companions Home Care ranks #1 in Ohio and #3 nationwide among at-home care providers.”

If you don’t understand homecare, now is the time to learn.  Although we often think of homecare just for the aging populous, too often families are in need prior to their senior years.  Most Americans, despite what you might think would like to age in place, as well as maintain as full a life as they are capable rather than spending time in a medical facility or a community designed for the older folk!  Although many senior communities are enticing and provide a home experience, as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said, “there’s no place like home.”  Yet home is where we reside and live and sometimes we or our family members need a cherished companion.

When you listen to the podcasts and check out their website you will learn that Cherished Companions provide many skills and services to enhance life.

“Cherished Companions Home Care was founded in 2009 to meet the growing care needs of seniors and those suffering chronic conditions in the Cleveland area.”

Doug Wilber and his staff are providing a superb model and not only are their clients appreciative of this, but they are being recognized in the industry as a leader.

newclevelandradio.net (and myself Karen Hale) are proud to bring CARE NOTES to you and we ask you to share your stories, your needs, and your ideas that will continue to cultivate the continued success of Cherished Companions.

Cherished Companions Home Care, LLC
7181 Chagrin Road Suite 200, 
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Ph: (440) 484-5390 • Fax: (440) 484-5391