My Trip

So, I am leaving to Israel this Wednesday. Scary thought after the latest bombing, in the area that I will be staying. But nonetheless, I will be going on that plane Wednesday afternoon I"YH. I am excited, nervous, scared...Etc...
You see, I haven't been there in five years, and it is due time that I go. BUT this is my first time I will be going away from my family for so long. I have never left the kids and hubby for a week! Yes one full week. A vacation!? I will definitely miss my family, but I do hope to take in the sights as well, and of course bring back gifts for the family.

But this trip will be hard on me. After all it has been FIVE years since I have been there. When I used to go every year, five is a very very long time not to be there. SO much to say, so much has happened.... And to go with so many people standing around...Is not what I am interested in...And then to meet with family afterwards...NOT the time I would like to see them. But what can I do. After all this is why I am going. It has been five years since I have been to my fathers (aleh hashalom) kever. FIVE years. I went right before I got married, and after that...No time was right for me. This year I decided I am going to go no matter what. I need to. I want to. I have to.

So, I hooked up with one brother and made plans with him for our trip. We will fly together and stay together. The family that lives there comes to the Beis Hakvaros for a minyan on the yarhzeit and my brother says Kaddish. Been a long time since I have been there for that. It gets harder and harder on my brother as he is a Kohen, but B"H my cousins help out and make it possible for him to go as close as possible. There will be a minyan of cousins. Cousins whom I haven't seen in five plus years, and who would like to see them now at this occasion? Not I! But what choice do I have? I would love to see them, but at an emotional time? I am not interested...But I will get over it. And will go daven at other family kvaros while I am there. So much for a vacation, right?

But, I am there for about a week, so only one morning will be sad...And I can make the most of the other days. I have friends who I have not seen in ages, along with cousins and places to visit! I will try to make an agenda for myself, and of course hook up with my sister who is coming in just for Shabbos and the Yarhzeit.

Any suggestions on what/where to go and see, sign the guest book and let me know. I will be checking it till I leave...

(chanie, you reading this? I updated so often...Don't get used to it :-))