As I age, I have found that the body has ways of letting me know I am not 20 years old anymore. My knee is a little sore after I walk the dog. When the weather changes, my thumb is a little sore as I move it. I cannot seem to find a pair of shoes that are comfortable 100% of the time. No matter how much I cut back and eat well, I cannot lose a single pound! However, life still goes on even though I kvetch more.

In the past two months I have been in three hospitals. Once to visit my older brother as he was passing away. It was a quick trip to Champaign, Illinois one Saturday and as I sat and held his hand, he slept through most of my visit. He did wake up at one point and knew I was visiting him. He even asked where the rest of the family was. At least his sense of humor was intact. It was nice to spend time with him. He died three days later. I felt at peace and had some closure.

I also visited both hospitals here in town. Once to be with my wife Terri and once to visit a good friend. Terri had a total knee replacement at Mercy Hospital. It went well, but the recovery is never easy. It has been a long month, but she is turning around and starting to move and get stronger. I am always praying her strength, and mobility will return to normal.

I was visiting another friend at St. Lukes Hospital here in town as he was trying to pass some kidney stones and received a text from another member’s wife that her husband was in the ICU at Mercy Hospital with breathing problems. At one point the doctors were talking about putting him on a ventilator but it never came to fruition. Thank G_d he improved and was discharged after being in a serious position for over a week. 

I guess I am not the only one aging and having “growing” pains!

I mention this every month…but I really believe it! I always keep in the back of my mind that, as a member of Temple Judah, we are all one large family. We come together to celebrate wonderful occasions like Chanukah, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, baby naming’s, conversions, high school graduations and marriages. But we also support those who are ill and sit shiva with our members who have lost loved ones.

Please join the Temple Judah family and do your part and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Participate!!

Shalom,
Brian D. Cohen
President