No, weโre not pregnant! Does it look like I could handle one more being in my care?!
Babies? No. But changes? Yes. Big ones.
It’s my birthday week. I turned the big 35 and with a little help from my friends, I’m taking this year on.
Some people come and go in our lives, hardly leaving their mark. Others carve something beautiful before they leave. And others leave behind something ugly.
And then thereโs the folks that put their feet up and stay awhile.
The friends that, for better or worse, are right there by our sides when we succeed and fail. Smile and cry. Make them proud and embarrass the crap out of them.
These are the people in our keeper buckets.ย And I have been blessed with many keepers.
In the last year, my keepers have quite literally moved me towards change. Would it sound mean to say that they pushed me there? Rude? Crass? Wrong? Well, they did. In the very best possible way.
A new license to question things. And stretch my dreams to no end.
To become a better Mom. Teacher. Friend.
Going away for my first weekend away from my family.
Participating in my first dinner swap.
Eating my first hash brown hot dish. And liking it.
And for the record: Drinking more wine than I have in a very long time.
Several months ago I was invited to a โCraft Nightโ by a keeper friend. More specifically, I was invited to make a Vision Board.
Why?
Because thatโs what good friends, old and new, virtual and in real life, do. They kick you in the tush and help you make your life happen.
So we put our sweeties to bed, kissed our husbands goodnight, grabbed a bottle of wine and some munchies and headed out for Craft Night.
We started with oodles of books and magazines.
We cut and sorted whatever struck our fancy, looking for themes.
And finally, weย created our visions. Of how we want our lives to be.
What we wanted to focus on, work on and do.
Then, we added glitter. Obviously.
We shared our visions, desires, hopes and dreams. And once they were said out loud: They became plans. Serious ones.
Being fiscally savvy. Or at the very least responsible.
Having a zen-ish home.
Health.
Authentic relationships.
Focusing on my family as a whole and Jasonโs and my relationship as the heart.
I could tell those stories well.
But my top left dream? The first at attention? The one that I painstakingly cut out letters to title? Says:
Published Author: Razzle dazzle โem!
That was the dream at the forefront of my heart. And the one that I had the hardest time articulating because Iโm terrified of change.
Of being told that I can’t.
Of failing.
But I cut those letters out one by one. And bedazzled them. So Iโm doing it.
Iโm writing a book. Itโs about those everyday moments with children. The ones that you know youโre exactly where youโre supposed to be. The ones that every fiber of your being tells you: This is right. Those spiritual moments that are outside of religion.
To commit to my goal, keep telling my story, refine my voice and to celebrate my 35th birthday (15 to 50!) Iโm launching my own site: These Little Waves.
Writing Minnesota Mamaleh gave me the license to use my voice and tell my story. When I first started, I thought it was such a badass move. To you know, blog. But in retrospect, I know that it was a safe start with Emily and Leora right by my side.
So Iโm keeping my Mamaleh roots as a monthly Jewish parenting column that will run right here on the first Friday of every month.
And I am spreading my wings at These Little Waves as an author site. I’m excited. Thrilled. And nervous.
Because vision board or not: I’m still terrified of change.
So I hope that at the very least, you’ll stop by to wish me a Happy Birthday. And at the very most? That you’ll stop by regularly and often and stay in my keeper bucket. Right where you belong.
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The conversation of Jewish parenting is one that we can all chime in on. Are you an Ima or an Aba with a story to tell? A Bubbe or a Zayde with something that has to be said? A Jewish educator with must-share information? Or an Aunt, Uncle or Bestie that has words of advice? Do you have a guest post inside of you or perhaps a column that youโd like to pitch? Well this is your day because Managing Editor Emily Cornell is listening. She wants to publish your words right here at TC Jewfolk. What are you waiting for? E-mail her already at [email protected]!
Hooray for you! You know I’ll be in your corner, rooting for you every step of the way. ๐
We’re so proud Galit. Mazal Tov on your first big step! We look forward to watching you grow and to throwing you a book party once your first (of many, we hope) is published!
I want to say “We’ll miss you!” even though you’ll still be around. Instead I’ll say “Mazel tov!” for taking such a big step.
The new blog looks beautiful and I look forward to reading about your adventures there.
YEAH!! So excited that you are taking this bold leap forward …..amazing things are sure to follow!!
OK. True confessions: I never wanted to offend you by asking you, but I’ve always wondered why you didn’t have your own homebase.
Selfishly, I wanted to ask this, because I’ve long wanted to come over, and sit over a cup of coffee with you.
This is wonderful, wonderful news for me.
I have tears in my eyes.
Here’s to a year of exciting, exhilirating, pushing ourselves to do what we were made to do, year.
“You were made because God’s world demanded your presence in it.”
One of my favorite things, to tell my children.
Mazel Tov. I’m excited for you and glad that I’ll be able to read more of you. You’re living my dream too. I will eagerly cheer your every success.
I am so proud of you and where your journey has taken you, so far. I vision myself at a book signing of yours, down your path of learning and illumination.
I am so very happy and excited for you!
Hugs and Love to you.
xoxo
Nu, of course you’re supposed to do this! Galit, you are going to be fabulous, don’t worry. I just know it. I am so excited to come along for the ride. (And that I can finally subscribe directly to your blog and not miss your new posts!)
Mazal Tov. The longest journey begins with the first step, and the problem once defined, is half solved.
Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
I’m so glad you brought vision board back into fashion with this blog. Look at what has begun!! You are so on your way!!!! I’m so very grateful we had craft night, it is because of you that I am spreading my wings too!! Thank you for including me in this journey with you. I am humbled and so very excited to read your bookS!!!!!!
Galit,
So, so happy for you! Wishing you continued success. I can’t wait to read more from you…
Jen
Happy birthday and congrats on your own new site!
how many people can say they got a blog site for their birthday? (by the way, to my mind no “we” can be pregnant — in an old-fashioned baby making deal — i mean really? every ache was mine. the babies, ours.
i am so excited about your new blog, book, & your willingness to leap.
How exciting! Congrats on your new baby.
Really. Good for you. I am so looking forward to reading more of your wonderful words.
Congratulations, how exciting!
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I’ve visited your new website already and love it. So very happy for you Galit. So many people set up road blocks for themselves and I’m glad to see that a writer as talented as you isn’t doing that. You’re flying – may you soar to the highest of heights in this new venture. HUGS!
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful excercise. I had a dream of writing a book and I fulfilled it. It is an amazing feeling. All the best. May the coming year and years be filled with razzle and dazzle and awe and love and blessings beyond your greatest hopes!!!
exercise
Wonderful news Galit!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to visit your new site, how exciting! I really love that idea of a vision board. You always inspire me. I love reading your words.
You will become a published author. No doubt, and I’m looking forward to it ๐
as a grandmom, i am so amazed and inspired-sending positive energy back to you
mazel tov! love this. i look forward to following you both there and here….rooting for ya all the way!
Perfect. Can’t wait to read your book(s) and buy zillions of copies.
“These are the people in our keeper buckets. And I have been blessed with many keepers” Love.IT. I call those people in my life my “motors”. the people that keep me revved up and moving forward. “Run with the motors and leave the Anchors behind.” ๐