8 Comments

I love everything you write! You are a brilliant and wonderful kind man; Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah and blessings for a good Nee Year! Suzy Kogen

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Funny, I know a Jewish guy who was Santa at a small mall; missed him by a day. But a shop owner said he was the best Santa they'd ever had. I guess Santa is all about, well, the vibe.

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Thank you Irv, for the gift of your writing, especially now. You're brilliant words that can evoke sadness, happiness, cynicism, laughter, and tears in the few minutes it took to read your article. So much hard and soft truth, bravery, care, and kindness. Dare I say a big ball of Xmas spirit wrapped up without a bow? Doesn't need one. Best of everything to you always, not just this season.

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Thank you, Irv. Thank you so much.

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One of your best dear Irv

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I agree with you on most of what you write. I would add, though, that that Xmas reboot you write about is, in my case, somewhat of a picking-at-the-scab issue.

I would add, further, that lately I can’t escape being called a heathen or that I am somewhat less of a human being because I’m Jewish. I say “lately” because mom’s caregiver reminds me every day and numerous times during Xmas that I am somehow subhuman bc I’m Jewish. Can’t wait till the next time she tells me that I am a lesser person than she is. I will be sure to remember to tell the caregiver that I was raised by my mother, and while the caregiver is caring for my 99-year-old mother, she should tell my mother what a heathen she is. Can’t wait till I don’t have to have this unyielding, arrogant person in mom’s house.

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I'm sorry. No one should have to put up with having to deal with a sick parent and a mean-spirited caregiver, too. All I can suggest you tell her is you understand she wants to save you but you don't need or want saving.

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That’s a good answer! I’ll try that! Yes. Mean spirited. That’s what she is. She does a good job caring for my mom, but a big part of a caregivers job is to make sure family members are at ease. She could and should be nicer to the family. Ahem! That would be me.

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